CONVICTED drug dealer John Gilligan has been handed a suspended sentence in Spain after admitting drug smuggling charges and possession of a weapon.
The Dublin-born 71-year-old had been due to stand trial at Torrevieja Criminal Court on Monday, but his lawyer confirmed a plea bargain deal had been agreed with prosecutors.
Gilligan had been charged over smuggling cannabis and sleeping pills from Spain into Ireland inside consignments of toys and flip-flops, along with possession of a rare Colt Python -357 Magnum gun.
He received a suspended prison sentence of 22 months as part of the plea bargain deal - nine months for the cannabis charge, nine months for illegal possession of a firearm and four months for exporting prescription-only drugs without licence.
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