Courts / Dublin / Report
Rattigan opens appeal against conviction for directing drug dealing from prison
Summary
Brian Rattigan, 37, of Cooley Road, Drimnagh, appealed his conviction for directing a €1 million heroin supply from prison. He had pleaded not guilty at the Special Criminal Court to possession of heroin and two counts of possession for sale or supply on Hughes Road South, Walkinstown, on 21 May 2008. The court found him the director of a drugs gang and sentenced him to 17 years, back‑dated to June 2008, to run concurrently with a life sentence for the murder of 21‑year‑old Declan Gavin. The Supreme Court quashed the murder conviction in December 2017. Rattigan's counsel argued insufficient evidence of possession and control, citing lack of drug purity testing and questionable expert testimony. He also challenged the validity of warrants used in the case. The Court of Appeal reserved judgment on the appeal.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Rattigan opens appeal against conviction for directing drug dealing from prison. Charges or matters: possession of heroin and two counts of possession of the drug for sale or supply on Hughes Road South, Walkinstown, Dublin 12 on May 21st, 2008. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- May 21st, 2008 Incident
- May 22nd, 2008 Incident
- March 20, 2013 Hearing Or Sentence
- June 2008 Hearing Or Sentence
- August 25th, 2001 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2004 and 2010 Other
- 2018-07-06 Publication
Why: She submitted that the law had to "scrutinise" warrants, especially those issued by a peace commissioner because they were not legally trained. CNI source report
Case subjects
Appellant
Charges: possession of heroin and two counts of possession of the drug for sale or supply on Hughes Road South, Walkinstown, Dublin 12 on May 21st, 2008 (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Outcome: The sentence, imposed on March 20, 2013 and backdated to June 2008, was directed to run in tandem with a life sentence he was then serving for the murder of 21-year-old Declan Gavin outside an Abrakebabra fast-food restaurant in Crumlin on August 25th, 2001.
Places mentioned
- Cooley Road
- Special Criminal Court
- Supreme Court
- Court of Appeal
- Hughes Road
- Portlaoise
- Portlaoise Prison
Topics
Drugs Stage Appeal Violent Crime
Related court reports
- Man charged with having 56k child abuse images and videos remanded on bail
- Ex-Dáil hopeful's allegations against former employer 'complete fantasy', WRC told
- Mater must pay €10k to worker who said he was wrongly accused of abusing patient
- 'I think we know I won't be getting bail' - Daniel Kinahan charged with directing criminal organisation
- Letting agent who claimed alleged domestic violence victim abandoned tenancy by fleeing to refuge must pay €14.7k
- 77-year-old with 470 convictions told Luas staff to 'f**k off'
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request