Courts / Dublin / Report
Court upholds Rattigan's conviction for supplying drugs from prison
Summary
Brian Rattigan, aged 37, remains in custody after the Court of Appeal dismissed his appeal against a conviction for directing the supply of drugs from prison. He had pleaded not guilty in the Special Criminal Court to possession of heroin and two counts of possession of the drug for sale or supply on Hughes Road South, Walkinstown, Dublin 12, on 21 May 2008. The court found him the director of a drugs gang that conducted a €1 million heroin deal and sentenced him to 17 years in prison, backdated to June 2008. Rattigan appealed on eight grounds, including alleged errors in search warrants, admission of evidence and the value and purity of the drugs. The appeal was dismissed by a three‑judge panel, who upheld the trial court's findings and the conviction as safe. The decision was delivered by Mr Justice John Edwards, with Mr Justice John Hedigan and Mr Justice Brian McGovern.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Court upholds Rattigan's conviction for supplying drugs 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
- May 2008 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2004 and 2010 Other
- 2018-10-10 Publication
Why: He said it wasn't relevant from the gardaí's perspective, because at street level "the buyer is blind" as to what purity the substance might be. 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 was imposed on March 20, 2013 and backdated to June 2008.
Places mentioned
- Court of Appeal
- Special Criminal Court
- Cooley Road
- Hughes Road
- Cooley Road
- Portlaoise
- Portlaoise Prison
Topics
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