Jade Marie Duggan granted bail on seven drug charges after chaotic scenes at Derry court
Court proceedings at Derry Magistrate’s Court spiralled into chaos yesterday as anti-lockdown protesters disrupted the hearing of a woman accused of serious drug offences. Despite police objections and the weight of her record, 34-year-old Jade Marie Duggan of Caw Close, Derry, was granted bail.
Duggan appeared before Deputy District Judge Brian Archer facing a total of seven charges. She is accused of possessing two different Class A drugs, possessing Class A substances with intent to supply, and four counts of possessing Class C drugs. The offences are alleged to have taken place on 8 September.
The courtroom was told that Duggan has 36 previous offences, including four convictions for drug-related matters. Police officers objected strongly to bail, raising particular concerns about her proposed address. They pointed out that the occupant of that property is also currently on bail in connection with drug offences.
Embed from Getty ImagesDetailing the circumstances of Duggan’s arrest, a police officer said some of the drugs were discovered concealed in her bra. Officers also recovered seven grams of Class A substances divided into three deal bags, with more than twenty other empty deal bags found nearby. The officer suggested the quantity and packaging were consistent with distribution rather than personal use.
The defence, led by solicitor Emmanuel Morgan, pressed the officer on whether any money or mobile phones had been recovered during the search. The officer responded that one phone without a SIM card and another containing a SIM card had been seized. Duggan gave no comment when questioned about the devices.
Morgan argued that not all of the drugs should be viewed as illicit. He said some of the Class C substances had been prescribed to his client and stressed that this could be confirmed by her doctor. He also told the court that Duggan had been living at the disputed address for several months without issue, pushing back against the police objections.
Deputy District Judge Archer noted the seriousness of the charges and Duggan’s extensive criminal history, but said he was “minded” to grant bail. He accepted the defence’s argument on residence but highlighted ongoing concerns about the suitability of the address.
The decision to grant bail sparked unrest in the gallery, already tense from disruption by anti-lockdown protesters earlier in the session. The protests, unrelated to Duggan’s case, had forced repeated interruptions and security interventions before order was restored.
As the ruling was delivered, the court atmosphere remained charged, underscoring the wider community tensions surrounding both drug crime and public protest in Derry.
Duggan’s case has drawn attention due to the combination of her past record, the volume of drugs allegedly recovered, and the unusual discovery of Class A substances hidden on her person. The prosecution has yet to outline its full case, but the police officer’s testimony painted a picture of drugs packaged for supply rather than personal possession.
Granting bail in such circumstances has raised eyebrows. Critics argue that allowing an individual with so many previous convictions back into the community sends the wrong message. Supporters of due process counter that until the allegations are proven, Duggan retains her right to bail and to contest the charges against her.
Her release will remain under strict conditions, and the court has signalled that the address issue will be monitored closely. Duggan’s next hearing is expected in the coming weeks, when the full details of the prosecution case will be set out.
For now, she is free, though under heavy scrutiny, while the charges hanging over her carry the potential for significant custodial sentences if proven. The case continues to cast a spotlight on Derry’s ongoing battle with drug crime and the complex balance between individual rights and public protection.