Gilligan returns to Jessbrook as State tries to finalise sale

Gang leader and convicted drug dealer John Gilligan has returned to his former estate Jessbrook as the Criminal Assets Bureau attempts to sell the property.

The 61-year-old, who was released from Portlaoise Prison on Tuesday morning, stayed overnight with his brother’s family in Greenfort, Clondalkin, west Dublin.

He left the house at lunchtime yesterday and was driven to Jessbrook near Johnstownbridge on the Kildare-Meath border.

He is believed to have met his estranged wife Geraldine who still lives in a house on the estate. The Irish Times understands other family members, including his adult son and daughter, were also present.

The Office of Public Works is trying to sell Jessbrook and surrounding lands on behalf of Cab, with prospective buyers having been shown around the property in recent days.

Geraldine Gilligan still resides in a house on the estate because that dwelling has not been seized by the State. Cab's efforts to take the property from her are still before the Supreme Court.

However, the rest of the estate was offered for sale in three lots in mid-September after Mr Gilligan lost the latest of his appeals in the courts to fight the State seizing the assets. The estate is made up of 80 acres of land and the Jessbrook 3,500 seater showjumping arena, stables and related buildings.

While it seemed he had exhausted all appeal options after a 17-year legal battle while on free legal aid, he was successful last month in securing a notice of lis pendens, or suit pending. A public notice warning that the estate is subject to litigation, it means that if the estate was sold and Mr Gilligan later won his case, the asset would have to be reinstated to him.

Mr Gilligan secured the notice in the High Court on September 18th in an application in which he was joined by his wife, son Darren and daughter Tracey. As part of the application, he is attempting to reopen the case in a bid to win back the estate. The Cab must now return to court to outline why it believes its case is legally sound.