CONVICTED drug dealer John Gilligan was back before the Supreme Court this week in the latest legal bid to overturn the seizing of assets - including Jessbrook Equestrian Centre, an adjoining home and two other Dublin properties - by the Criminal Assets Bureau.

In the two-day hearing this week, Gilligan and his legal representatives claimed he did not receive a proper trial when his assets were frozen by the State back in 1996.

They claimed that subsequent court rulings based on that decision are invalid or flawed.

Lawyers for the Criminal Assets Bureau, which obtained the orders and have since sold Jessbrook EC, disputed these claims and any right to bring a further appeal.

CAB legal representatives argued that the matters had been before the courts on three separate occasions and that the latest appeal fails to meet the necessary exceptional circumstances test for the Supreme Court to revisit a decision.

In 2008 the Supreme Court ruled that John Gilligan’s assets, and those of his family, came from the proceeds of crime.

The Gilligan family are also appealing a 2011 High Court ruling that forfeited assets to the State including Jessbrook EC in Enfield, Co Meath.

RESERVED JUDGEMENT

The Gilligans claim the properties were bought from legitimate earnings.

All four members of the Gilligan family - John, wife Geraldine, daughter Tracey and son Darren, were in the Supreme Court on Tuesday, represented by three Queen’s Counsel from London.

The Gilligans are also bringing a challenge claiming their rights under the Constitution and the European Convention on Human Rights have been breached.

The Supreme Court reserved its judgement in the case and the Gilligans will now have to await the outcome.