Convicted drugs dealer John Gilligan made a gross profit of more than £37 million from importing cannabis resin over a two-year period, the Special Criminal Court was told yesterday.
Gilligan (49) was convicted last March 15th of 11 offences of unlawfully importing cannabis resin between July 1st, 1994 and October 6th, 1996, of unlawfully possessing cannabis resin for sale or supply on the same dates and that on or about October 3rd, 1996, of having cannabis resin for sale or supply.
He is serving a 28-year prison sentence. He was cleared of the murder of journalist Veronica Guerin on June 26th, 1996.
The Asst Garda Commissioner, Mr Tony Hickey, said the net profit from the drugs for Gilligan was over £14 million. He said 20,700 kg was imported from Amsterdam through Cork, but taking into account the weight of the boxes and bad quality cannabis that was returned, garda∅ estimated the total weight of cannabis as 10 per cent less than that.
Mr Hickey told Mr Peter Charleton SC, prosecuting, there was "no evidence whatsoever" that anyone other than Gilligan benefited from the £2,000 per kg he received for the cannabis.
The head of the Criminal Assets Bureau, Det Chief Supt Felix Mc- Kenna, told the court that it had only identified "a small amount" of the assets. He said Gilligan had spent £1.7 million on Jessbrook Equestrian Centre.
Chief Supt McKenna told Gilligan's counsel, Mr Michael O'Higgins SC, that 80 per cent of Jessbrook was now in Geraldine Gilligan's name (his wife) and that there was a judgment of £2.75 million registered against the property. There were also houses in Gilligan's two children's names, which were bought for £70,000 and £77,000.
He also said they estimated that he lost £560,000 in betting.
The court is hearing evidence to decide whether Gilligan benefited from drug-trafficking and whether it should make an order to confiscate his assets.
The hearing continues on Monday.