Convicted drugs dealer John Gilligan has told the Special Criminal Court that a prison officer told him he hoped he did "every day of your 28 years" after a row over the opening of a prison tuck shop.
Gilligan has denied he punched prison officer Mr Martin Ryan on the jaw during an incident at Portlaoise Prison 10 days after he was jailed last year for 28 years for drugs offences. Gilligan's account was backed up in evidence yesterday by Brian Meehan, who is serving a life sentence for the murder of journalist Veronica Guerin in 1996. The court will give its verdict on Tuesday.
The court heard that Gilligan returned to meet Mr Ryan and Meehan at a security gate in the jail on their way to a visit with their solicitor, Mr Joe Rice.
Gilligan said Mr Ryan told him the tuck shop was closed and then he went to the chief officer, who gave permission for the shop to be opened. Gilligan said this was normal during legal visits and he usually brought the lawyers Club Milks and Kit Kats. Gilligan said he told Mr Ryan he had to open the shop. Words were exchanged and Gilligan claims the officer said: "I hope you do every day of your 28 years" and went to push him.
Gilligan denied he threatened to kill either Mr Ryan or another prison officer, Mr Declan O'Reilly, or their families.