Convicted drug dealer John Gilligan has appeared in court in Portlaoise charged with the possession of a mobile phone at Portlaoise Prison in July 2008.
Gilligan, who is serving a 20-year sentence at Portlaoise Prison, was brought to court in a security convoy.
There was a large presence of Army and Garda personnel around the courtroom for the short hearing this afternoon.
If convicted, he could face a prison sentence of up to five years.
He is not due for release from his current sentence until 2013.
Judge Gerard Haughton remanded Gilligan in custody to Portlaoise Prison to appear again at the court on Monday next.
