One of the three men cleared of the murder of a Limerick bouncer last month has appeared in the Central Criminal Court to apply for the cost of his defence to be quashed.

Convicted drugs dealer John Gilligan today lost his Supreme Court appeal against conviction for the possession of cannabis resin for sale and supply.

The future of the Dail sub-committee inquiry into the death of John Carthy was been thrown into doubt.

The family of John Carthy has threatened to withdraw its co-operation from the Dail inquiry into his shooting at Abbeylara if further conditions are imposed upon it.

Lawyers for John Gilligan have told the Special Criminal Court that state supergrass Charles Bowden was given favourable treatment by gardai, once he agreed to give evidence against the suspected killers of Veronica Guerin.