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Dublin man facing money laundering charges refused bail

John Gilligan was arrested in August at Belfast International Airport
John Gilligan was arrested in August at Belfast International Airport John Gilligan was arrested in August at Belfast International Airport

A DUBLIN man facing money laundering charges has been refused bail at court in Coleraine.

John Gilligan (66) was arrested at Belfast International Airport in August as he attempted to board a flight to Spain.

Around €23,000 (£20,000) in cash was recovered at the scene by officers from the National Crime Agency (NCA).

Mr Gilligan was making a fresh bail application after a previous refusal at Belfast High Court earlier this month.

An NCA investigator said the agency was objecting to bail over concerns that Mr Gilligan would abscond overseas.

Mr Gilligan's lawyer told the court that his client had signed bail on a daily basis in Dublin for three and a half years, but said finding the "documentary evidence" to verify this was proving difficult.

The NCA investigator said he would assist the defence in securing the relevant documentary evidence after a request for assistance from the solicitor.

Mr Gilligan's legal team also raised concerns about their client's health but the NCA investigator said assurances had been given that there were medical facilities in prison.

When the NCA investigator was asked by Gilligan's solicitor whether the organisation had liaised with the Gardaí in relation to the case, the officer said a request had been made in relation to a matter that Mr Gilligan had raised during interview about a threat on his life.

The court also heard that Mr Gilligan's legal team had contacted the NCA about whether a second bail address, which had been provided, was suitable.

This was challenged by a prosecuting lawyer, who said an officer she had spoken to received no request in relation to any address.

In refusing the bail application, the district judge said it had been "ill judged" and added that there was nothing to suggest that the circumstances of the case had moved "one iota".

Mr Gilligan is due to appear in court again on October 15 via video link.

Read more:

  • Police are following 'international lines of inquiry' in the case of a Dublin man accused of trying to smuggle £23,000 out of Northern Ireland, a judge has heard
  • Dublin man John Gilligan (66) charged with money laundering