The case against Dublin man Brian Rattigan, who is charged with having mobile phones in Portlaoise Prison and with the possession of heroin, has been adjourned until the New Year.
Rattigan (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 22nd, 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.
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 (SCC), which normally deals with terrorist offences, because the ordinary courts are “inadequate” to try the case.
The Special Criminal Court was told that the President of the High Court, Mr Justice Nicholas Kearns, made an order that Rattigan should be tried at the non-jury SCC following an application by the Director of Public Prosecutions under the Offences Against the State Act.
Lawyers for Rattigan this morning told the Special Criminal Court that they were seeking to adjourn the matter until early next year.
Mr Justice Paul Butler, presiding, said the court would remand Rattigan until January 17th, 2012 when the case will be mentioned again.