Man released for Christmas after breaching court order

A Dublin man who was found in contempt of court having breached a court order not to attend the murder trial of Brian Rattigan was released from custody to spend Christmas with his partner having spent the past ten years in prison at the Central Criminal Court today.

Jeremy Cooper (aged 40) , Kilcronan Avenue, Clondalkin was ordered by Mr Justice George Birmingham not to attend the murder trial of Brian Rattigan after his constant presence in court was noted by Det Sgt Joe O’Hara and it was suggested his presence was intimidating to witnesses.

Brian Rattigan (aged 28), Cooley Rd, Drimnagh, Dublin was found guilty of the murder of Declan Gavin (aged 21) Mourne Rd, Drimnagh on December 17, 2009, after he fatally stabbed Mr Gavin in the chest at Crumlin Shopping Centre in August, 2001.

Mr Cooper breached the court order when he showed up in court during the trial on December 16, 2009.

He was arrested by gardaí and held in custody in contempt of court until the hearing today.

The court heard that Mr Cooper’s presence was required in court on that date for his own reasons as he was due to be sentenced having already pleaded guilty to having drugs for sale or supply at the Circuit Criminal Court on February 15, 2008.

Mr Cooper and his partner Ms Ann-Marie Byrne (aged 34) were caught with €200,000 worth of heroin in their home at Kilcronan Avenue, Clondalkin when gardaí raided the home in February last year.

Ms Byrne pleaded guilty to allowing her premises to be used for the preparation and production of heroin and both were due to be sentenced at the Circuit Criminal Court on December 16, 2009.

Mr Justice Desmond Hogan adjourned sentencing till February next year after he requested an updated medical report for Ms Byrne who has a history of mental health problems.

Mr Gareth Orange BL, defending, told Mr Justice Birmingham that Mr Cooper would not have been in the building had his presence not been required for separate reasons and noted that Mr Justice Hogan had allowed Mr Cooper a period of grace until February.

Mr Justice Birmingham said: "Mr Cooper was a constant presence in court during the trial and I am extremely unimpressed by him. It seems to me he pays scant regard to undertakings given to the court."

However, Mr Justice Birmingham took note of the fact Mr Cooper was facing sentencing in the new year and had spent the last ten years in prison.

He said: "It appears that until he was required in this building for his own purposes he had stayed away. I do not think it is necessary for me to take any further action at this stage and don’t propose to do so."