CAB resumes legal bid on Gilligan assets
Monday, 7 February 2005 22:05
The Criminal Assets Bureau has begun what it hopes will be the final round of legal proceedings to dispose of the multi-million euro assets of convicted drug dealer John Gilligan and his family.
Today the CAB's application for an order directing the handing over of Gilligan's Co Kildare equestrian centre, and other properties estimated to be worth in excess of ¤8 million, was adjourned for two weeks.
There was tight security surrounding Gilligan for his brief appearance in the High Court.
The net began to close on the drug baron in 1996 when the CAB raided his 77-acre Jessbrook Equestrian Centre at Enfield in Co Kildare.
With his wife Geraldine, son Darren and daughter Tracey, Gilligan is now trying to prevent the disposal of this and his other property.
Under the proceeds of crime legislation, seven years must elapse before frozen assets can be seized under court order.
Today, a solicitor for Gilligan sought legal aid for his client before representing him in this matter. Lawyers for Tracey and Darren Gilligan also sought legal aid.
Counsel for Geraldine Gilligan indicated she may wish to bring a preliminary application in relation to the hearing being held in public. Richard Humphries also criticised what he called the grievous trailing of the case in the media in recent days.
This, he said, was entirely improper, and he criticised the conduct of the plaintiff, the Criminal Assets Bureau, in this matter.
The court heard that Mrs Gilligan also wants to bring an application dismissing the CAB application on the grounds that it is duplicitous.
Asked by Mr Justice Finnegan if he wished to be present at further proceedings in two weeks, John Gilligan replied 'I do thank you'.
