Man is charged with knife murder

A MAN appeared in court yesterday charged with the murder of a 20-year-old suspected drug dealer more than two years ago.

Brian Rattigan, aged 23, of Cooley Road, Drimnagh, Dublin, appeared before Dublin District Court charged with the murder of Declan Gavin, who was stabbed to death outside a shopping centre in South Dublin in August, 2001.

Sergeant Joseph O’Hara, Sundrive Road station, told the court that when cautioned he was being charged with the murder of Mr Gavin, Mr Rattigan replied: “No. Dirty f***ing rat.”