John Gilligan remanded in custody in Northern Ireland
By Brendan Grehan
JOHN Gilligan who was arrested last month while allegedly attempting to flee Northern Ireland with over €22,000 cash in his luggage was remanded in custody for a week on Tuesday (September 4) at Antrim Magistrates Court.
Gilligan, aged 66, with an address at Greenfort Crescent, Clondalkin, is charged with attempting to remove over €22,000 by way of criminal property from Northern Ireland, contary to both the Criminal Attempts and Conspiracy Order, and the Proceeds of Crime Act at Belfast International Airport on August 23, 2018.
John Gilligan remains in custody in Northern Ireland
On Tuesday, he appeared in Antrim Magistrates Court via video link from Maghaberry Prison where he is being held since his arrest.
District Judge Nigel Broderick told parties in the case he could not deal with the case as in the past, as a partner in a firm of solicitors he had helped represent the 66-year-old when he appeared before the Central Criminal Court in Dublin.
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, and he would need to “canvas” his views and he was therefore “minded to adjourn the matter for a week”.
Earlier the prosecution had sought a four-week adjournment, telling the court that “a mobile phone to be examined and international lines of inquiry to be pursued”.
Gilligan’s solicitor, Jim McGinnis, objecting to the lengthy adjournment.
He said: “Mr Gilligan is 66 and he does not enjoy good health. Since being taken into custody, he has already been taken to hospital.”
Mr McGinnis also told the court that there had been an attempt on Gilligan’s life in 2014.
Judge Broderick remanded Gilligan in custody for a week to appear before the court on September 11 next.
