John Gilligan was f leeing Ireland because his life was ‘under threat’
JOHN GILLIGAN was fleeing Ireland with a suitcase full of cash because he feared for his life, a court heard on Friday.
He was apprehended trying to flee through Belfast International Airport with a suitcase containing €23,000.
Gilligan’s solicitor told Coleraine Magistrates Court his client’s life was under threat, he had sold almost everything he owns and was fleeing for Spain.
The 66-year-old, with an address at Greenforth Crescent, Dublin, was formally charged with attempting to remove criminal property from Northern Ireland. In court, Gilligan spoke only to confirm his name and date of birth.
Following the hearing he was remanded in custody after his lawyer’s application for bail was refused. The judge accepted a prosecution submission that Gilligan was a flight risk.
Earlier in court, an officer from the National Crime Agency (NCA) described how the defendant had been stopped in the airport and questioned by members of the UK Border Force.
When he was asked if he was carrying drugs or cash, the officer said Gilligan replied that he had €23,000 in his luggage.
The court heard a search of a suitcase removed from the plane revealed two bundles of cash totalling €22,280.
Gilligan was arrested and taken to Antrim PSNI Station where he told officers the money had been gathered from the sale of property and contributions from relatives.
The court heard he also told officers he was under a death threat and had been ordered out of Ireland.
The NCA officer said objections to bail were based on the fact Gilligan was a flight risk and a citizen of the Republic of Ireland with no fixed abode.
Gilligan’s lawyer said that his client was prepared to live with his sister in Dublin and abide by any bail conditions imposed by the court. But District Judge Alan White refused to grant bail and Gilligan was remanded in custody to appear again at Antrim Magistrates Court on September 4.