Fallen gang boss, 66, spotted in bar
TINY crook John Gilligan is back socialising on his old stomping ground – despite a previous bid on his life there.
The former gang boss has been spotted in Clondalkin, West Dublin, with an English woman.
Swaggering thug Gilligan didn’t seem to have a care in the world even though he was shot in that area four years ago.
But his attempts at showing off to his female pal came a cropper when he was refused service in one boozer – and was closely watched by barmen in another.
The 66-year-old crook, whose gang shot dead brave journalist Veronica Guerin in 1996, went into hiding after the failed murder bid at his brother’s house in February 2014.
He suffered abdominal injuries, broken hip and a shot to the leg.
However, the brazen criminal appears to no longer feel under threat and has been seen walking around and enjoying drinks in pubs where he can get served.
THREATS
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A source told the Irish Mirror: “Gilligan has been spotted having some drinks in the company of an English woman. He wasn’t hiding away and didn’t appear to have a care in the world.
“It’s crazy considering he was shot at his brother’s house not too far away a few years ago. He must believe any threats against him are now gone.”
But one barman who recognised him a fortnight ago refused to serve him – denting the thug’s pride.
Gilligan was freed from Portlaoise maximum security prison on October 15, 2014, after serving 17 years of a 20-year sentence.
He had been living in Co Roscommon and was moving between the rented property and houses in Clondalkin, Ballyfermot and Lucan as well as an address in England.
The gangster achieved infamy in the 1990s while running a drugdealing operation. But it fell apart after Veronica’s killing – a crime that shocked the nation. Gilligan was cleared of her murder but served his time for drug dealing.
Last year in a series of exclusive tapes obtained by the Irish Mirror, we laid bare the little gangster’s rise to Public Enemy No1 – and his spectacular fall from grace.
ON FALLEN CROOK JOHN GILLIGAN
It’s crazy considering he was shot not far away a few years ago SOURCE