Convicted drug dealer John Gilligan’s ex-wife Geraldine has signed a caretaker agreement which allows her live on at Jessbrook House in Co Meath pending an appeal against a High Court decision that the property was bought with the proceeds of crime.
Ms Gilligan, who is legally separated from her husband, has asked that the Criminal Assets Bureau (Cab) pay the fuel bill for heating Jessbrook because she is not earning.
The case arises from the appointment Cab legal officer Frank Cassidy as receiver to manage the Gilligan assets, including Jessbrook, its attached equestrian centre and three other houses which the High Court has found were bought with the proceeds of crime. The Gilligans are appealing that finding to the Supreme Court.
Ms Gilligan, under the terms of the receivership, may continue to live in Jessbrook provided she signs a caretaker agreement.
She expressed concern over some of the terms of that agreement and the case was adjourned a number of times to allow her lawyers examine it. She also changed lawyers and the case was adjourned to allow her new counsel familiarise herself with the case.
At the High Court today, Mr Justice Kevin Feeney was told Ms Gilligan had signed the caretaker agreement after Cat agreed only Mr Cassidy would hold the key to Jessbrook and there would be a specific point of contact for Ms Gilligan through a named Cab detective garda.
The court heard previously that one of the conditions of the insurance policy obtained by Cab for Jessbrook House was that the water must be turned off if it is vacant for more than a day or else the heat must be left on.
Counsel for Ms Gilligan asked that Cab pay for the heating fuel as she still had bills, including ESB and phone, and was not earning.
Mr Justice Feeney said that would have to be dealt with via a separate application to court next October. He refused Cab's application for costs and noted Ms Gilligan was covered by an ad hoc free legal aid scheme because she did not have an income.