Drug dealer to appeal conviction for threats

Convicted drug dealer John Gilligan is to appeal his conviction for threatening two prison officers in Portlaoise prison last year.

The Special Criminal Court handed down a sentence of 5 years in June, in addition to the 28 years he is already serving for drug trafficking.

Gilligan is appealing the conviction and the severity of the sentence.

Two prison officers, Martin Ryan and Declan O' Reilly, made complaints that Gilligan had punched Ryan in the jaw and threatened that they and their families would be killed.

The incident occurred in Portlaoise prison.

Gilligan was on his way to visit his solicitor and demanded the sweet shop be opened for him, even though it was closed on Sundays.

He denied either assaulting or threatening each officer.

Gilligan refused to accept the verdict and is now to appeal his sentence.

He is on free legal aid and the State will therefore pay his legal costs.

Costs relating to his previous trial amounted to E200,000.