Drug dealer admits to killing that sparked Crumlin-Drimnagh feud

A DUBLIN drug dealer has admitted to stabbing a man to death in Dublin, an incident that sparked the Crumlin-Drimnagh feud that went on to claim 15 more lives.

In one of the longest criminal cases in the State, Brian Rattigan pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Declan Gavin 17 years ago.

He was convicted of murder in 2009 but was acquitted on appeal and the State decided to retry him.

Yesterday he admitted stabbing Mr Gavin and apologised to the victim’s family and anyone else he has hurt.

Rattigan’s plea was accepted by the State and he remains in custody as he awaits a sentence hearing on December 20, when Mr Gavin’s family will have the opportunity to tell the court of the impact that his death has had on them.

Mr Gavin was stabbed to death outside an Abrakebabra on Crumlin Road on August 25, 2001. When arraigned yesterday on the same murder charge Rattigan, sporting a neatly trimmed beard and glasses, replied: ‘Not guilty to murder, guilty of manslaughter.’

Pauline Walley SC for the Director of Public Prosecutions said the plea was acceptable.

Brendan Grehan SC, on behalf of Rattigan, said his client wished to say that he is ‘sorry to the Gavin family and anyone else hurt by his actions’.

Justice Michael White told Mr Gavin’s family that they will have a chance to speak of the effect the killing has had on them when the sentence hearing takes place on December 20.

Rattigan is currently serving a sentence for organising a €1million heroin deal from prison.

He has appealed that conviction and is awaiting judgment.

The feud that followed Mr Gavin’s death went on to claim a total of 15 more lives in the years between 2001 and 2011.