RATT SHAKES ON IT..
GANG boss Brian Rattigan shook hands with detectives yesterday after losing an appeal against his conviction for directing the supply of drugs from prison.
The 37-year-old had pleaded not guilty at the non-jury Special Criminal Court to possession of heroin and two counts of possession of the drug for sale or supply in 2008. The three judges agreed with the prosecution case that Rattigan was the director of a drugs gang conducting a €1million heroin deal.
Dismissing his appeal yesterday Mr Justice John Edwards, who sat with Mr Justice John Hedigan and Mr Justice Brian Mcgovern, said the court was satisfied Rattigan’s trial was satisfactory and his conviction safe. The accused acknowledged the court’s decision with a nod to the judges and shook the hands of senior detectives in the case who were sitting at the back of the courtroom, after judgment was delivered.
Rattigan and the senior gardai shared brief pleasantries before he was led away through the custody area and returned to prison.
Sentencing Rattigan to 17 years in prison, Mr Justice Paul Butler, presiding, said the court had regard to the “very frightening” evidence of drugs expert Detective Sergeant Brian Roberts.
He detailed the effects heroin had on society as well as the “alarming” 3,972 drug-related deaths in Ireland between 2004 and 2010. Brian Rattigan