The High Court has heard a convicted killer challenging his transfer to a maximum security prison is in a 'frail mental condition'.

28-year-old Derek Hutch with an address at Chapel Farm Avenue in Lusk in Dublin has been moved from Mountjoy Prison to the segregation unit of Portlaoise Prison.

His lawyers claim prison officers have approached him to withdraw his challenge.

Derek Hutch who is also known as 'Del Boy' is the nephew of well known crime figure 'The Monk'.

The 28-year-old is serving a number of sentences including one for the manslaughter of Barry Maguire and 16 years for coordinating a botched cash van raid in 2009.

Earlier this month he was transferred from Mountjoy Prison to the maximum security Portlaoise Prison. It is a move he is challenging as unlawful in the High Court.

He claims he has not been given reasons for the transfer and he is challenging the fact he is being held under 23-hour lock up in the segregation unit.

His barrister Fergal Kavanagh today sought an urgent hearing of the case because of his client’s frail mental condition.

The matter has been put for hearing to this day week.