Murder accused serving time in jail, court hears

A Dublin man accused of murder is currently serving thirteen years in prison, a jury at the Central Criminal Court heard today.

Brian Rattigan (aged 28), Cooley Rd, Drimnagh, Dublin, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Declan Gavin (aged 21), Mourne Rd, Drimnagh, at Crumlin Rd, Crumlin on August 25, 2001.

It is the prosecution’s case that Mr Rattigan got out of a Nissan Micra that had pulled up outside the Abrakebabra fast-food outlet at Crumlin Shopping Centre before he stabbed Mr Gavin in a “targeted attack.”

After the prosecution had concluded its case today, Mr Brendan Grehan SC, defending, made a formal admission to the jury.

He said that Mr Rattigan has been in custody since February 15, 2003, and is serving cumulative sentences of thirteen years, with one year suspended.

Earlier, David McAvinnue told Ms Pauline Walley SC, prosecuting, that he went to school with Shane Maloney.

He said that at the age of seventeen or eighteen they went their own ways.

Ms Walley said: “You told gardaí that you used to hang around with Shane Maloney and then he started hanging around with Brian Rattigan.”

“He had loads of friends,” Mr McAvinnue said.

The court has previously heard that Shane Maloney bought a Nissan Micra for his girlfriend in 2001 and that when they broke up five or six weeks later she returned the car to him.

There will be no evidence heard from the defence.

The jury will return on Monday afternoon when closing speeches are expected to be heard.