The Munster Agricultural Society yesterday visited the Olympic-sized equestrian centre that belonged to one of Ireland’s most notorious criminals amid speculation it may bid for the property.

The wife of convicted drug dealer John Gilligan has sacked the legal team which had been representing her in the action by CAB relating to the receivership of the Jessbrook equestrian centre in Meath.

DRUG dealer John Gilligan claimed yesterday that had he paid a €2.5 million tax bill, the Criminal Assets Bureau would not be seeking to take over properties belonging to him and his family.

A JUDGE yesterday ordered that photographs of the former equestrian centre owned by the wife of convicted drug dealer, John Gilligan, should be taken today or on Monday to ascertain its condition in advance of a High Court hearing next week into whether a receiver should be appointed to take the property over.