Ex-prisoner awarded €150,000 for attack in jail denies heroin dealing

A 34-year-old man who was awarded €150,000 in damages after he was slashed in an attack in a prison has pleaded not guilty at Dublin District Court to a heroin dealing charge.

Earlier this month, Peter Creighton became the first person to be awarded damages by the High Court for injuries sustained in an attack while in custody.

He had been assaulted in an overcrowded area in Wheatfield prison in 2003 and suffered severe lacerations to his face and body - totalling 78cm - leaving him scarred for life.

Mr Creighton had successfully sued the state for negligence and breach of duty.

Today, he appeared at Dublin District Court where he faced two summons for unlawful possession of a quantity of heroin and possessing it for sale or supply to another, at Neilstown Shopping Centre, Neilstown Road, in Clondalkin, Dublin on July 14th, 2012.

The charges are under the Misuse of Drugs Act and the case is to be dealt with at District Court level.

Judge Patricia McNamara was told the case was “in for a plea” to be entered.

Mr Creighton, from Moorfield Lawns, Clondalkin, did not address the court during the brief hearing.

However, when the case was called, his solicitor John Wood told Judge McNamara “a date for hearing is required”.

Judge McNamara ordered Mr Creighton to appear again on a date next February when the non-jury district court trial will take place.