Prisoner Faces Drug Dealing Charges

A prisoner convicted of gangland murder is to appear in court over drug charges and phone offences alleged to have been committed while he was in prison.

The man, who is serving life in prison, is to be brought before Cloverhill District Court this morning.

He faces five charges in connection with the operation of a drug dealing business from behind bars.

It is said to be the first time the Department of Public Prosecutions has directed a man serving life in prison for a gangland murder be charged with further offences relating to gangland crime.

Gardaí believe an inmate was directing the distribution of more than €250,000 worth of heroin from his prison cell using mobile phones.

The inmate is to face five charges including possession of drugs, possession with intent to supply as well as possession of two mobile phones while in prison.

The news comes a member of the Labour Party criticises the Government over cuts to anti-drugs programmes in Dublin.

Tommy Broughan, the party's spokesperson on transport, said two agencies within his constituency, RASP and Sphere 17, provided critical services for his constituents in the Dublin 17 area are both under serious threat as they have had their funding cut by over 30% for 2010 and face the prospect of being axed completely in 2011.

Mr Broughan said: "Axing RASP and the Sphere 17 anti-drugs programmes and initiatives to combat anti-social and criminal behaviour will leave very vulnerable citizens at the mercy of drug dealers and may potentially result in the relapsing of many clients with a history of addiction.

He added: "It is appalling that citizens who are trying to turn their lives around and get themselves off drugs will now have nowhere to turn for help and support in their local communities. It also makes no wider social or economic sense to be slashing vital youth services."

(DW/BMcC)