Woman admits drugs charge linked to girl's death

Caithlin McLaughlin, 16, died after collapsing at the Belsonic music event in Belfast in 2023

A 21-year-old woman has admitted supplying ecstasy to a schoolgirl who died after after collapsing at the Belsonic music festival in Belfast more than two years ago.

Caithlin McLaughlin, 16, from Londonderry, died after collapsing at the Belsonic music festival in June 2023.

A previous inquest concluded that a combination of drugs, taken before and during the event, had caused her death.

The 21-year defendant, who is from Derry but who can't be named due to a reporting restriction, pleaded guilty to a single charge of supplying MDMA (Ecstasy) when she appeared at Belfast Crown Court on Thursday.

The defendant pleaded guilty at Belfast Crown Court on Thursday

Before she entered the dock, the defendant began sobbing.

This continued as she was arraigned on a single charge of supplying a Class A drug, namely MDMA, on 24 June 2023.

When asked by a court clerk "do you plead guilty or not guilty to the charge?", she replied "guilty".

Her barrister told Judge Gordon Kerr KC that the defendant was pleading guilty to the charge, however, the Crown fact that the supply of MDMA was a significant factor in the case of the deceased's death was still in dispute.

If found to be proven, counsel stated, this would be considered a significant aggravating feature in the case.

A pre-sentence report was ordered for six weeks time and the defence barrister advised the court that he would try and resolve the issue in the interim period.

If it could not be resolved, as highlighted by Judge Kerr, a Newton hearing may be potentially required on that net issue.

Judge Kerr set the date for this as as 28 November and the defendant was released on continuing bail.