Geraldine Gilligan appeals social welfare refusal

A Circuit Court judge will this afternoon hear closing submissions by a barrister representing Mrs Geraldine Gilligan in her appeal against a decision not to grant her a social welfare payment.

Dundalk Circuit Court earlier today heard Mrs Gilligan, the estranged wife of John Gilligan, is receiving an "emergency welfare," payment.

Judge James O’Donohoe heard evidence in the case earlier in this year at Naas Circuit Court.

He adjourned the case until today to allow for a number of documents to be provided to the court, including details of Power of Attorney and details of the accounts of her daughter Tracey Gilligan.

Mairead Carey, counsel for Mrs Gilligan, told the court that the accounts detail had been requested. “We don’t have the accounts and I don’t believe we will get the accounts”.

“We have requested them on several occasions,” she told the court.

The judge said he wanted to see the accounts, “to see if she is getting an income”.

Ms Carey told the court "my client is getting emergency social welfare," and "Geraldine Gilligan does not own Tracey Gilligan's bar and doesn't earn a living from Tracey Gilligan's bar."

The power of attorney was granted (for use by Geraldine Gilligan) in the event something would happen to Tracey Gilligan so she could manage her affairs because she has a very young daughter, the court was told.

The judge said the power of attorney would enable her to see the accounts and Ms Carey said they had sought to see them (accounts).

“They have been consistently refused,” she said.

The judge asked to see documentation to support this and put the case back until this afternoon.

The judge heard closing submissions would be made and it was estimated that these would take “up to an hour and a half”.