Convicted drug dealer John Gilligan has had almost €500,000 in cash seized by the authorities in Britain.
The money was found in Gilligan's luggage as he was attempting to leave London for Amsterdam in October 1996, just four months after the murder of crime journalist Veronica Guerin.
British customs officials found £296,000 hidden in a suitcase as the 55-year-old boarded a plane for Amsterdam at Heathrow Airport.
The seizure began a lengthy assets confiscation case which concluded yesterday.
Customs officials finally secured the seizure at Uxbridge Magistrates' Court. Interest has been paid on the deposited money since it was seized almost 11 years ago, bringing its value to almost €500,000.
Gilligan was arrested at Heathrow and was charged with money laundering. However, as he awaited trial an extradition request was made and he was returned to Ireland.
Gilligan, with addresses at Corduff Avenue, Blanchardstown, Dublin, and at the Jessbrook Equestrian Centre, Mucklon, Enfield, Co Kildare, was initially jailed for 28 years by the Special Criminal Court in 2001 for drugs offences but that sentence was reduced by the Court of Criminal Appeal to 20 years.
Customs and revenue head of criminal investigation in Britain, Peter Hollier, yesterday said: "This forfeiture today brings a successful conclusion to this case and demonstrates that crime simply doesn't pay."
