The Special Criminal Court was told today that two former protected witnesses are outside the jurisdiction and unavailable to give evidence at the hearing of an application to confiscate assets of convicted drugs dealer John Gilligan.
The court ruled last month that Charles Bowden and Russell Warren had relevant evidence to give in the court's decision on whether Gilligan benefited from drug trafficking.
The pair were released from prison last year after giving evidence under the Witness Protection Programme at several trials connected with Gilligan's drugs gang and the murder of journalist Veronica Guerin.
The hearing into Gilligan's assets was adjourned to allow the State to find out where the two witnesses were.
But today State counsel Mr Peter Charleton SC said Bowden and Warren were outside the jurisdiction and under no compulsion to return home, and were not available to give evidence.
The court adjourned the hearing until February 18th when it will hear closing submissions on the application.
The court has been told by Asst Commissioner Tony Hickey that Gilligan made a gross profit of over £37 million from importing around 19,000 kilogrammes of cannabis resin over a two-year period. He said Gilligan's net profit was £14,024,000.
The court has heard the State wants the High Court to appoint a receiver to realise Gilligan's assets, which allegedly include an equestrian centre at Jessbrook, two houses in Lucan, a house in Blanchardstown, six vehicles, 16 bank accounts and over £5 million staked in bets.
Gilligan is serving a 28-year prison sentence imposed by the Special Criminal Court in March last year for importing cannabis resin.
Gilligan (49) with addresses at Corduff Avenue, Blanchardstown, Dublin, and Jessbrook Equestrian Centre, Mucklon, Enfield, Co Kildare, was convicted of 11 offences alleging that he unlawfully imported cannabis resin on various dates between July 1st, 1994, and October 6th, 1996; that he unlawfully possessed cannabis resin for sale or supply on the same dates; and that on or about October 3rd, 1996, at Greenmount Industrial Estate, Harold's Cross, Dublin, he had cannabis resin for sale or supply.
He was cleared of the murder of journalist Veronica Guerin on June 26th, 1996.
PA