Gardaí are on major alert for the release of one of Ireland’s most notorious gangland criminals at the start of next month. Brian Rattigan (40) is expected to walk free from Ireland’s highest security prison in Portlaoise in less than three weeks’ time. In a sworn statement on behalf of his former arch enemy ‘Fat’ Freddie Thompson, Rattigan said there was “no bad blood" between him and his fellow inmate in Portlaoise Prison. The two were housed together in the same wing in the maximum security prison and pose no security threat to each other, Rattigan also said. Rattigan was also given a 17-year-sentece for organising a €1m heroin deal from his jail cell in Portlaoise Prison.

Source: Irish Independent July 18, 2021 21:33 UTC