A DUBLIN man arrested with almost €23,000 in a suitcase at Belfast International Airport last August is to contest charges he faces in April.
John Gilligan (66), with an address at Greenfort Crescent in Dublin, was in the dock at Coleraine Magistrates Court today.
He faces two charges.
One charge is that the defendant on August 23 last year 'attempted to remove criminal property from Northern Ireland, contrary to Article 3 of the Criminal Attempts and Conspiracy (Northern Ireland) Order 1983 and Section 327(1)(e) of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.'
The second charge is that he possessed criminal property - namely €22,280.
A defence lawyer said his "clear instructions" were to enter a not guilty plea and contest the charges.
A prosecution lawyer said there were 15 prosecution witnesses and the defence lawyer said there were 13 witnesses for the defence.
District Judge Peter King set a contest day at the end of April and said a review would be held in mid-March to "firm up" the number of witnesses which will be required.
He said Gilligan did not need to attend in March.
The defendant said: "Ok, thank you very much".
