Phone Discovered In Gilligan's Cell

The notorious convicted drug dealer, John Gilligan, has had a secreted mobile phone confiscated from his cell.

Gilligan was reportedly overheard having a conversation last Tuesday while alone in his single cell. After a search by prison officers, the phone was found the next day, concealed by 'bluetack'.

Officers also found a syringe, a charger and two SIM cards.

The Prison Service has handed the contraband over to gardaí and a criminal investigation is now underway.

An inmate can face up to five extra years in prison for the offence. However, the maximum penalty the courts have imposed to date is six months.

The convicted drug dealer, serving 20 years, has been placed in solitary confinement for two months as a result.

It is the second time that Gilligan has been in trouble with the prison authorities in the past month.

Two weeks ago he was sanctioned for giving an unauthorised interview to a journalist and later, another inmate in prison subsequently attacked him.

Fine Gael Justice Spokesman Charlie Flanagan TD has said that the discovery of a mobile phone and a syringe in John Gilligan's cell show that repeated Government promises to rid our prisons of drugs and mobile phones are worthless.

Deputy Flanagan also called on Justice Minister Dermot Ahern to explain how John Gilligan was able to use the phone in Portlaoise, where mobile phone blocking technology is being piloted.

"This discovery blows a massive hole in the Government's repeated promises to clamp down on mobile phones and drugs in prisons.

"The fact that one of the country's most notorious criminals was found with a mobile phone, a charger, SIM cards and a syringe in his cell shows the need for a total overhaul of prison security and procedures.

"Only two weeks ago the same criminal did a magazine interview from inside prison.

(DW)(BMcC)