Lawyers for Gilligan's wife complain to court

The High Court will today address complaints by lawyers for Ms Geraldine Gilligan, wife of convicted drug dealer John Gilligan, about "egregious and prejudicial" publicity, including alleged publicity by the Criminal Assets Bureau, regarding proceedings in which CAB is seeking to have an equestrian centre and other property to be handed over to the State.

The President of the High Court, Mr Justice Finnegan, yesterday indicated that the complaints by Mr Richard Humphreys, for Ms Gilligan, in relation to the publicity, might be best addressed by some agreement with the bureau, rather than a court order. Mr Humphreys and Mr Brian Murray SC, for CAB, agreed to consider that overnight and the matter will come before the judge today.

Mr Humphreys had said earlier his complaint was about "egregious and prejudicial" publicity, including by CAB chief bureau officer Chief Supt Felix McKenna. If the plaintiff denied issuing words attributed to him in the Sunday World newspaper, then the matter might have to be raised elsewhere, Mr Humphreys said. However, the plaintiff had not denied issuing the words.

Mr Humphreys said he wanted an order to ensure there was no further prejudicial publicity regarding his client.

Mr Justice Finnegan wondered whether the matter might be met by an undertaking and, after consultation with his client, Mr Murray said Mr Humphreys may wish to apply to have the matter heard in private. There would be consequences were that the case. Counsel agreed to consider the matter further overnight.

Earlier, Mr Justice Finnegan adjourned for a further week proceedings in which John Gilligan, Ms Geraldine Gilligan and their children, Darren and Tracey, are opposing the application by CAB for an order permitting properties, including Jessbrook Equestrian Centre and lands, at Mucklon, Enfield, Co Kildare, and two houses in Lucan, Dublin, to be sold and the proceeds handed over to the State. The proceedings were adjourned for mention on February 21st with a view to having a date fixed then for the full hearing.