DRUG dealer John Gilligan’s family claimed yesterday they were entitled to a new hearing of High Court proceedings which found their assets were the proceeds of crime.

THE Supreme Court will hear later this year an appeal by convicted drug dealer John Gilligan and other members of his family aimed at preventing several properties owned by them, including the Jessbrook Equestrian Centre in Co Meath, being handed over to the state after a High Court finding that they are the proceeds of crime.

THE High Court yesterday gave the go-ahead to the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) to take over the management and maintenance of five properties owned by convicted drug dealer John Gilligan and his family.

PROPERTIES owned by convicted drug dealer John Gilligan and his family are uninsured and at risk of destruction, by accident or otherwise, it was claimed in the High Court yesterday.

The High Court has cleared the way for the Criminal Assets Bureau to proceed with an application to have an equestrian centre and other property belonging to convicted drugs dealer John Gilligan and other members of his family handed over to the State.

GARDAÍ are focusing on a well-known smuggling gang as part of their investigation into the kidnapping of Kildare mother-of-three Helen Judge.