Gilligan legal challenge to confinement resumes

Lawyers for John Gilligan return to the High Court this morning in their legal bid to quash the punishment handed down to the convicted drugs smuggler, following an alleged assault on prison officer.

Gilligan is being held in the bunker area of Portlaoise jail after he allegedly punched the officer on the jaw when he refused to open the prison tuck shop.

He has lost sentence remission and certain other privileges.

The officer in question said Gilligan threatened to kill him and also made threats against his family.

Gilligan is claiming the punishment order should be quashed because he was not given a chance to defend himself against the assault charge.