A man accused of injecting heroin into his friend moments before he collapsed and died has been refused bail.
Mantas Cepas, 32, appeared at the High Court in Belfast on Wednesday charged with the manslaughter of 51-year-old Stephen Millington in Newry on January 17.
The court heard how Cepas, a Lithuanian national with an address at Cowan Street, Newry, administered the dose following a two-day drink and drugs binge with Mr Millington and their two partners.
The deceased passed away from a suspected overdose.
Police, who were called to the scene at a property on the Dublin Road, found him unconscious on the bathroom floor.
Cepas is also charged with possessing and supplying Class A drugs.
The court heard how Mr Millington had given the accused £40 to go out and buy drugs and after failing to self-administer the heroin, he asked the defendant, who obliged his friend.
The defence told the court how his client made a full and honest admission and only finds himself before the court as he acted on that request from the deceased.
It was added that Cepas was deeply upset over the loss of his friend.
Mr Justice Burgess expressed concerns surrounding the events leading up to Mr Millington’s death.
He also expressed a worry that, if granted bail, Cepas would attempt to leave the jurisdiction.
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