Convicted murderer Brian Rattigan has become the first person in the State to be found guilty of drug dealing from behind bars.
The 32-year-old, formerly of Cooley Road in Drimnagh, has been convicted of the possession of €1 million of heroin for sale or supply while an inmate in Portlaoise Prison.
When Gardai raided his cell on the E landing at the prison the convicted murderer was lying on his bed with a mobile phone in his hand.
Text messages & notes found
Following a trial at the Special Criminal Court the 32 year-old was found guilty of drug dealing from behind bars – the first person in the State to be convicted in such circumstances.
Rattigan sent text messages referencing “Half bars” and “9” allocated to names such as “Gangko” and “McGyver”.
The Court said it was satisfied the list, taken in conjunction with notes found in his cell, amounted to directing drug dealing.
The Drimnagh man is serving life for the murder of Declan Gavin in August of 2001.
He will be sentenced for this offence next month.
