Rattigan remanded following Special Criminal Court appearance
Dublin man Brian Rattigan appeared at the Special Criminal Court today on charges of having mobile phones in Portlaoise Prison and possession of heroin.
In March the Director of Public Prosecutions ordered that Rattigan's trial should be moved from the Circuit Criminal Court to the Special Criminal Court , which normally deals with terrorist offences, because the ordinary courts are "inadequate" to try the case.
Rattigan (aged 30), of Cooley Road, Drimnagh is charged with possession of two mobile phones at Cell 42, E1 Landing, Portlaoise Prison while an inmate at the prison on May 22, 2008.
He is also charged with possession of heroin and two charges of possession of the drug for sale or supply on Hughes Road South, Walkinstown, Dublin on May 21st, 2008.
The court was told today that the President of the High Court, Mr Justice Nicholas Kearns, had made an order last week that Rattigan should be tried at the Special Criminal Court following an application by the DPP under the Offences Against the State Act.
Rattigan's solicitor, Mr Robert Eager said that he was reserving his position on the issue of the transfer of the trial to the Special Criminal Court. He also said there was a lot of telephone evidence which the defence was considering having analysed.
Mr Justice Paul Butler, presiding, said the court would remand Rattigan until July 22 when the case will be mentioned again.
