The Ennis murder conspiracy trial has heard that gardaí searched a cell in Limerick Prison after receiving information that Ricin poison could be found there.
Tests carried out by army officers on a contact lens case found in the cell of Essam Eid showed traces of Ricin, the court was told.
Mr Eid, an Egyptian who was living in Las Vegas, is accused of being hired by Sharon Collins to kill her partner, PJ Howard, and his sons, Niall and Robert.
Mr Eid and 45-year-old Ms Collins, of Kildysart Road in Ennis, deny the charge.
Two members of the gardaí and two members of the Army Bomb Disposal squad searched Mr Eid's cell in Limerick Prison on 25 April 2007. They were wearing biological suits and carried respirators.
They discovered a contact lens case under a bunk in the cell and a vial of clear liquid. The lens case was later tested at Sarsfield Barracks in Limerick.
Retired Commandant PJ Butler gave evidence of carrying out the test and said a swab from the case tested positive for the presence of Ricin.
The court heard the case was later sent to a laboratory in the UK. The trial continues.
