Dublin man John Gilligan, who was arrested last month while allegedly attempting to flee Northern Ireland with a suitcase of cash to begin a new life in Spain, was remanded back into custody for another week today after a district judge recused himself from the case.
Mr Gilligan appeared before Antrim Magistrates Court via videolink from Maghaberry Prison where he is being held since his arrest on 23 August at Belfast International Airport by officers from the UK National Crime Agency.
The 66-year-old, with an address at Greenfort Crescent, Dublin, is charged with attempting to remove more than €22,000 by way of criminal property from Northern Ireland.
Today, District Judge Nigel Broderick told parties in the case he could not deal with the case.
Mr Broderick said he wanted to refer the matter back to Coleraine, but that the district judge in the north Antrim court was currently on leave
He said he would need to "canvas" his views and he was therefore "minded to adjourn the matter for a week."
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Earlier, the prosecution had sought a four-week adjournment telling the court that a mobile phone had to be examined and "international lines of inquiry" pursued.
However, Jim McGinnis, of Ian McFarland solicitors, objecting to the lengthy adjournment said he had received "firm instructions to seek the shortest possible remand in this matter."
"Mr Gilligan is 66 and he does not enjoy good health," added Mr McGinnis, who also revealed that since being taken into custody, "he has already been taken to hospital."
The solicitor also told the court that in 2014 an attempt on Mr Gilligan's life had occurred in which he was shot six times and that he would "urge the shortest possible adjournment in order that the momentum in the case is maintained".
It was then that Mr Broderick informed the parties that "I cannot deal with this case", and outlined his reasons.
Mr Gilligan had readily volunteered he was carrying the cash when questioned by members of the UK border force at the airport about drugs and, or, monies.
In all €22,280, in two bundles, was uncovered from his luggage taken from a Spanish-bound plane.
