The Special Criminal Court this morning granted the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) leave to begin an inquiry into the assets of drugs dealer John Gilligan.
Mr Justice O'Donovan said the court did have jurisdiction for such an investigation into whether Gilligan's assets were acquired by legitimate means.
Mr Justice O'Donovan was ruling on a suggestion two weeks ago by Mr Michael O'Higgins SC for Gilligan the trial had ended with Gilligan's conviction and it was not the jurisdiction of the Special Criminal Court to carry out an inquiry into his assets. This would be a consequential action.
Mr O'Higgins told the court today his client was contesting the constitutionality of the CAB in the High Court. He added a report into Gilligan's assets was expected in two weeks and he sought an adjournment to consider the results.
The CAB is seeking to seize Gilligan's assets estimated at £14.2 million which allegedly include an equestrian centre at Jessbrook in Co Kildare, two houses in Lucan in Co Dublin, a house at Blanchardstown, six vehicles, 16 bank accounts and more than £5 million he staked in bets.
Gilligan (49), with addresses at Corduff Avenue, Blanchardstown, Dublin, Jessbrook Equestrian Centre, and Mucklon, Enfield, Co Kildare, was found guilty in the Special Criminal Court in March of importing cannabis resin and is serving 28 years.
He was cleared of the 1996 murder of journalist Veronica Guerin. Following the drugs conviction the State applied for a forfeiture order against Gilligan and assets obtained from drugs trafficking.
The case will return to the Special Criminal Court on June 13th, the first day of the next legal term.
