Rattigan trial sent forward to Special Criminal Court

A Drimnagh man is to have his trial take place before the Special Criminal Court after the Director of Public Prosecutions stated that ordinary courts are “inadequate” to deal with it.

Brian Rattigan (aged 30) of Cooley Road, Drimnagh faces charges of possessing two mobile phones while an inmate in Portloaise Prison and of possesion of drugs in west Dublin

The charges detail that on May 22, 2008, at Cell 42 E1 Landing, Portlaoise Prison, while being a prisoner in Portlaoise Prison, he possessed two mobile phones, namely a Samsung mobile phone and a Nokia mobile phone, without the permission of the Governor of the Prison.

He is also charged with possession of heroin and two charges of possession of the drugs for sale or supply on Hughes Road South, Walkinstown, Dublin 12, on May 21, 2008.

A trial date in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court had originally been set for October and was to take four weeks. It was set to proceed following the disclosure of telephone records to Mr Rattigan’s defence team.

However prosecuting counsel, Mr Paul Carroll BL, said the DPP was making an application under Section 48 of the Offences against the State Act to have the trial heard before the Special Criminal Court.

He stated that the DPP believes that ordinary courts are “inadequate” to hear the case.

Mr Carroll told Judge Yvonne Murphy that the Circuit Court still has jurisdiction over the case until the High Court approves the order which will likely happen next week.

Judge Murphy cancelled the original trial date and remanded Rattigan in custody until a final mention date before her in May.