Gardai fear drug lord Brian Rattigan will start a new gangland feud when he returns to Dublin.
The cocaine dealer nicknamed King Ratt is currently hanging out with fellow mobster John Gilligan in Spain since his release from Portlaoise Prison in August.
But detectives are convinced he is making plans to regain control of his South Dublin empire and will go to war against anyone who gets in his way.
A senior Garda source said: “We are expecting a bloodbath and a string of tit for tat shootings when he gets back. There is no doubt people will die.
“Word on the street is he plans to be back before Christmas.
“The link-up with Gilligan is just a cover. We suspect he has been busy organising drug shipments with representatives of the Kinahan cartel out there. He is one of the biggest buyers of cocaine in Dublin from the Kinahans.
“Rattigan has made millions running his drug empire from behind bars.
“We believe he is absolutely ruthless and will take on anyone who gets in his way.
“We are pretty sure he wanted to become the No1 drugs boss in Dublin.
“He has his own network in many parts of the south centre so it is just a question of expanding.” It is also believed Rattigan, 41, is out to get the person who ratted on him over the manslaughter of drug rival Declan Gavin who he stabbed to death in 2001.
He got nine years jail but was then also convicted and locked up for a further 17 years for importing a €1million heroin shipment which he organised from his prison cell in Portlaoise.
Rattigan, who served over 17 years behind bars in total since 2003, has said he is a “changed man” – a claim which the authorities refuse to believe.
Gavin’s death led to the infamous Drimnagh feud in the noughties between Rattigan and Freddie Thompson’s gangs which left 15 people dead including Rattigan’s brother.
The rival bosses eventually made peace in prison.
Rattigan turned up with Gilligan in Alicante a few weeks after he got his freedom back.
Gilligan was prosecuted but acquitted over the shooting of Sunday Independent journalist Veronica Guerin.
The Garda source added: “Gilligan has plenty of contacts
in Spain and will be useful to Rattigan. They were friends in prison.
“We can’t see Rattigan staying there too long. He will be mad to get back to his empire.”
