Man convicted of dealing from jail is suspect in €1m heroin haul

A gangland murderer who was convicted of orchestrating a €1 million drug shipment from his prison cell while already serving a life term is under investigation again for directing drug trafficking from jail.

Dublin gang leader Brian Rattigan is the chief suspect for planning the sale of a consignment of heroin valued at €1 million seized in the city on Tuesday.

Sources said it was believed he had organised the sale of the drugs via smuggled mobile phones from the high security Portlaoise Prison.

The drugs were found during an intelligence-led operation against a gang based in Ballyfermot. When a vehicle carrying two suspects was stopped and searched, the haul was found. The men were arrested and were being questioned at Kevin Street and Irishtown Garda stations.

Rattigan, of Cooley Rd, Drimnagh, was jailed for life in 2009 for the stabbing murder of Declan Gavin (21) in Crumlin in 2001. The killing began a feud between rival gangs that has claimed the lives of a dozen men.

In February 2013 he was found guilty of charges connected to directing the supply of drugs while in prison.