English drug trafficking and money laundering charges against Mr John Gilligan were stayed at Woolwich Crown Court yesterday.
However, he will remain in custody pending an appeal in London in February against his return to the Republic to face trial for the murder of journalist Veronica Guerin and drugs and firearms offences.
The decision not to proceed with the English charges against Mr Gilligan came after a decision by Judge James Rucker at Woolwich Crown Court last week to refuse an application to extend custody time limits on the English charges and to grant unconditional bail on the English charges.
Mr Nigel Peters QC, for customs and excise, told the court that all criminal proceedings on the English charges would be stayed and that the order had been put in writing with the authority of the commissioners for customs and excise.
He said Mr Gilligan's trial on the English charges had been technically adjourned in 1997 after the courts gave precedence to Irish warrants for his arrest in relation to Ms Guerin's murder. "The effect is that criminal proceedings in this jurisdiction are brought to an end and that is the end of the matter."
The three-minute hearing was delayed for over an hour as Mr Gilligan was brought to court. He has been in custody since shortly after his arrest at Heathrow Airport in October 1996.
Mr Colin Nicholls QC, for Mr Gilligan, applied for costs in the magistrates court and in the crown court in connection with the English charges. He said Mr Gilligan had received legal aid for most of the proceedings on the English charges but in the early stages his counsel and solicitors were privately instructed. These costs should be paid from central funds.
Judge Rucker said Mr Gilligan's file on the English charges would be marked in accordance with the decision to stay the case and he ordered that Mr Gilligan's costs should be paid and taxed appropriately.