Courts / Dublin / Report
"Exceptional features" saw State accept Rattigan manslaughter plea
Summary
Brian Rattigan, a 38‑year‑old Dubliner who has spent most of his adult life in prison, pleaded guilty to manslaughter for the 2001 stabbing death of his former friend Declan Gavin, a 21‑year‑old. Gavin was killed outside an Abrakebabra on Crumlin Road when Rattigan stabbed him twice, one wound to the heart. Rattigan had been tried twice in 2009, the first jury being hung and the second convicting him; that conviction was later quashed by the Supreme Court in 2017. In October 2019, at arraignment, the Director of Public Prosecutions accepted a plea to manslaughter, citing the case's exceptional features and the complex litigation history. Rattigan had previously served sentences for assault, firearms, violent disorder and drug offences, the longest being 17 years for drug dealing while in jail. He had written a letter of apology to Gavin's widowed mother, which she declined to read.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: "Exceptional features" saw State accept Rattigan manslaughter plea. Charges or matters: murder but guilty to manslaughter. "The prosecution indicated that, given the exceptional features now associated with this case, the director would accept this plea to manslaughter because of those features," she said. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- 25th August 2001 Hearing Or Sentence
- 24th January Hearing Or Sentence
- 2005 to 2008 Other
- 2018-12-20 Publication
Why: "The prosecution indicated that, given the exceptional features now associated with this case, the director would accept this plea to manslaughter because of those features," she said. Prosecution account reported by CNI
Case subjects
Background Person
Charges: murder but guilty to manslaughter. "The prosecution indicated that, given the exceptional features now associated with this case, the director would accept this plea to manslaughter because of those features," she said (Alleged Or Contested)
Outcome: Credit: Collins) A 38-year-old Dubliner in prison for most of his adult life has asked forgiveness from the mother of the man he killed in 2001, and called on God to protect her son, ahead of being sentenced for his manslaughter next month. His biggest sentence, of 17 years imprisonment, was imposed for drug dealing while in jail.
Places mentioned
- Central Criminal Court
- Supreme Court
- The Supreme Court
- Crumlin Road
- Four prison
Topics
Drugs Stage Sentence Violent Crime
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