Convicted drugs criminal John Gilligan is to appeal to the Supreme Court against the refusal to grant him legal aid for a constitutional challenge as part of his ongoing battle with the Criminal Assets Bureau (Cab) over the freezing of his assets.
There was tight security at the Four Courts yesterday as Gilligan was brought from Portlaoise Prison for the brief mention of the case before the High Court.
Mr Justice Kevin Feeney had earlier this month refused Gilligan legal aid in a constitutional challenge which formed part of his ongoing battle to stop the Cab continuing to freeze assets worth an estimated €17 million.
Gilligan, who is serving a 20-year jail term for having cannabis for sale or supply over a two-year period, had applied for legal aid under the Attorney General scheme.
Yesterday, Mr Justice Feeney was told Gilligan intended to appeal the refusal of legal aid.
When refusing the aid, Mr Justice Feeney said he was being asked to give legal aid in proceedings which substantially involved the High Court being asked to review an earlier Supreme Court decision which upheld Section 3 of the Proceeds of Crime Act 1996 as constitutional.
Gilligan was bringing the constitutional challenge to Section 3 of the Act which provides for the freezing of assets.