From his cell in Portlaoise Prison, Dublin criminal Brian Rattigan directed a gang operating a drugs business, the Special Criminal Court has heard today.

The Special Criminal Court trial of Brian Rattigan, who is accused of possessing €1m worth of heroin, has heard video-link evidence from a mobile phone forensics expert based in New Zealand.

Numerous bags of matte-white powder seized after a garda raid were today shown to the three judges sitting at the Special Criminal Court trial of Brian Rattigan, who is accused of possessing €1m worth of heroin.

A date for the trial of Dublin man Brian Rattigan, who is charged with the possession of heroin and having mobile phones in Portlaoise Prison, may be decided upon next week.

Dublin man Brian Rattigan appeared at the Special Criminal Court today on charges of having mobile phones in Portlaoise Prison and possession of heroin.