Double murderer had 73 bags of heroin in jail cell
Gary Campion, 26, from Moyross was serving life for one murder and awaiting trial for another when he was found with the drugs in his cell on March 1, 2007, Limerick Circuit Court heard.
Campion was jailed for life for the murder of nightclub security manager Brian Fitzgerald in 2002. At the time of the heroin discovery, he was awaiting trial for the 2006 murder of ‘Fat Frankie’ Ryan who was shot dead in Moyross in 2006.
State prosecutor John O’Sullivan told yesterday’s court hearing that prison officers carried out a routine search of Campion’s cell on March 1, 2007. They noticed Campion had his fist clenched. After a struggle, a total of 73 heroin deals fell onto the bed and cell floor.
Detective Garda Oliver Foley said the drugs had a street value of €2,300 and were ready to be passed on to other prisoners.
Mr O’Sullivan said Campion had 40 previous convictions, two of which were for murder.
Counsel for Campion said he was acting as custodian of the drugs at the time.
Judge Carroll Moran imposed a four-year sentence.
Campion drove hired killer James Martin Cahill by motorbike on the night Cahill murdered Brian Fitzgerald outside his home in Corbally.
Campion also drove Cahill from the scene after the brutal murder.
In September 2006, Campion shot ‘Fat Frankie’ Ryan dead at Pineview Gardens, Moyross, after Ryan, a close ally of the McCarthy Dundon gang, called to bring Campion for a ‘spin’ in his car. Ryan did not know Campion had switched his allegiance from the McCarthy Dundons and agreed to carry out a contract killing on Ryan.
After Campion sat into the back seat of Ryan’s car, he pulled out a gun and shot him in the back of the head.
A man sitting in the front passenger seat gave a statement to gardaí which he later tried to retract at Campion’s trial, but the court ruled the statement admissible and this helped convict Campion.
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