A son of IRA murder victim Jean McConville has walked free from court after agreeing to a two year probation order for drugs offences.

Omagh Crown Court Judge Norman Lockie, sitting in Belfast, also ordered 53-year-old Robert McConville to complete 100 hours of community service after he pleaded guilty to importing cocaine, Ecstasy, cannabis and amphetamine from the Republic of Ireland.

Prosecuting lawyer Robin Steer said police raided McConville’s home in Rockview Park, Moneymore in November 2007 and uncovered the class A, B and C drugs in a walll cavity beside the fireplace.

Arrested and interviewed, McConville confessed he had bought the drugs in Dublin but claimed they were for his own personal use, a claim accepted by the prosecution.

In total he had 11.7 grammes of cocaine, nine Ecstasy tablets, 12.6 grammes of very low grade amphetamine and 162 grammes of cannabis resin.

Defence lawyer Martin Morgan told the court that McConville’s life had been blighted since the abduction and “brutal murder” of his mother in 1972 by the IRA.

Mrs McConville was one of the ‘disappeared’ and her body was only recovered and brought back to her family in 2003.

Handing down the combination order, Judge Lockie said her death had been a “significant and harrowing family tragedy” and had had a “profound and prolonged effect” on McConville himself.