Northern Ireland

Men who supplied drugs for Warrenpoint rave leading to death of friend sentenced to 100 hours community service

Two Co Down men who supplied drugs for a Warrenpoint rave leading to the death of their talented teenage football friend have been sentenced to 100 hours community service.

Jamie Flack (21) of Pinley Meadow, Banbridge and Sam McCallister (21) of Glascar Road, Ballinaskeagh pleaded guilty to possession and supply of class A and B drugs on dates from September 13 to 15, 2019.

Prosecution outlined the night in question when the co-accused organised to obtain ketamine, MDMD and cannabis for a rave night at Narrow Water Castle, Warrenpoint on September 15.

The ambulance service was alerted at 10.30pm, but 17-year old Max Wilson was declared dead in bed at home in Rathfriland.

It was suspected that illicit drugs had been taken.

The teenager was a talented footballer who played for Rathfriland Rangers FC, just 24 hours before in the Irish Junior Cup against Cleary Celtic at Iveagh Park.

The Newry court heard that Flack and McCallister had attended the Co Down rave with their friend after obtaining drugs in Banbridge.

McCallister had four bags of ketamine in the groin area of his trousers that he then gave out to friends

During a PSNI interview the co-defendants gave an account of going to Banbridge and buying 14 grms of Ketamine as a “bulk buy”

Both McCallister and Flack had previous records for possession of drugs from 2019.

Defence barrister, Justin Byrne said his client, Flack had “learned a salutary lesson from tragic consequences”.

“It has transpired that the death had occurred after the deceased had taken insulin, not directly linked to the drugs in question,” said Mr Byrne.

“He (Flack) had been shaken up by this.

“He has no interest in drugs now whatsoever."

Defence barrister, Conor Lunny said his client, McCallister was a close friend to Max Wilson.

“They played football together for a number of years,” explained Mr Lunny.

“He gave all the details on the night in question, voluntarily and his candour may have come back to bite him, as he gave more information that the police knew about.

“He is still in the grieving process.

“The family of the deceased do not bear a grudge,” added the barrister.

District judge Eamonn King said: “I think it is important that we identify and remember the deceased, Max Wilson, today,” said Mr King.

“These two gentlemen will have all their lives remembering the impact of this on the death of their friend Max Wilson.

”They will have to look the parents, friends and siblings in the face.

“This has been the perfect illustration of what I have, probably poorly, been trying to articulate over the years, of the effects of illicit drugs"

The co-accused who received an enhanced combination order must also serve one year of probation.