A criminal gang leader has been found guilty of the possession and supply of €1m worth of heroin while he is in prison.

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.

An inmate at Portlaoise Prison has appeared in court charged with possessing €1m worth of heroin in Dublin and with the possession of two mobile phones in jail.