Dad had been smuggling drugs to Derry dissidents via Liverpool ferry for ‘months, if not years’

 2h ago

Adissident drugs mule was bringing cocaine and cannabis into Northern Ireland on the ferry from Liverpool for months before he was eventually caught by cops.

Scott McNally was handing over packages to INLA-linked dealers, which were sold on the streets of Derry where he has family connections.

Locals say the 41-year-old Scouser was making a small fortune from the racket, using trips back to Liverpool as cover to collect drugs from criminals.

“Scott McNally brought over far more drugs from Liverpool than he was caught with, he was at it for months, if not years,” revealed a source.

“He started working as a mule after falling into debt to cocaine dealers linked to the INLA in Derry. McNally was supplying them to clear his debt, and then he started dealing himself – he was making good money from it.”

McNally was eventually arrested getting off a boat in Belfast harbour in October 2021 following a joint operation between the PSNI and Merseyside Police.

He had been travelling back to Northern Ireland with three children, aged 11, 12 and 14, who he has with a former partner from Derry.

Security staff attempted to search McNally, however, he refused and was seen trying to hide a package in his underwear. Police were called and arrested the drugs mule, finding three bags of cocaine and two bags of the mixing agent benzocaine in his clothing.

Several text messages on his two phones showed he was drug dealing — offering to supply both cocaine and cannabis.

At Belfast Crown Court on Wednesday, a sheepish McNally, appearing via video link from Liverpool, had a 15-month prison sentence suspended for three years.

He had pleaded guilty to possessing cocaine with intent to supply, being concerned in the supply of cannabis and being concerned in the supply of cocaine.

Judge Paul Ramsay said he was not sending McNally to jail because he was the main source of income for his five children and they would suffer if he was behind bars.

The court was told that the cocaine dealer has a previous record for drugs and was convicted in Derry Magistrates in 2013 of possessing class A and supplying class B. He also received a fine at Newry Magistrates Court for possessing cannabis.

Although described by the prosecution as a drugs “retailer who supplies for commercial gain”, McNally was assessed by probation as a medium chance of reoffending and not posing a serious risk to the public.

In meetings with probation, he stressed his desire to stay out of trouble for the sake of his five children.

McNally, who earns £1,400 per week installing insulation in power stations across the UK, was warned that if he is convicted of any drug offences during the next three years, his suspended 15-month prison sentence will be served consecutively with any new sentence.

Freeing him, Judge Ramsay said: “You have an addiction problem which you need help with.”