The Jessbrook Equestrian Centre formerly owned by gangster John Gilligan lies at the side of a narrow country road between Johnstownbridge and Timahoe on the border between Kildare and Meath.
Seized by the Criminal Assets Bureau after the murder of journalist Veronica Guerin in 1996 – and the collapse of Gilligan’s drugs empire – it is only now being put up for sale by the Office of Public Works on behalf of the Department of Public Expenditure following a 16- year legal battle with Gilligan and his family.
The asking price for the centre and adjoining lands incorporating two stable blocks, a first- floor apartment, a viewing platform for an outdoor dressage ring and some smaller structures is €500,000. It is spread out over about 80 acres of land.
"Five or six" inquiries
The property would have cost "well in excess" of £1.1 million to construct in the 1990s, according to the Lucan-based estate agents REA McDonald, who are handling the sale.
Director Barry McDonald last night said there had been “five or six” inquiries.
Gilligan – who has been in prison since 1996 and is due for release in the coming months – and his wife Geraldine had been planning to hold international show-jumping competitions here. The 3,500 seater- arena was never used, though, as gardaí broke up Gilligan’s empire just as he had put the finishing touches to it.
Geraldine Gilligan still occupies a house beside the centre. Its top can be seen behind a hedgerow and a small access gate which would have been used to move between the two properties remains.
Veronica Guerin
This is the house at which Veronica Guerin was assaulted by Gilligan before her murder.
The State is still trying to seize it and the matter is now before the Supreme Court.
The centre itself, the stables around it and the first-floor apartment yesterday looked almost untouched from when they were last occupied during the mid-1990s.
Viewing of the property is by appointment only and there will be no auction. It will be sold by private treaty.
Mr McDonald said he expected it to remain on the market for “at least another three or four weeks” following an advertising campaign.
