Correct legal procedures not followed - Gilligan

CONVICTED CRIMINAL John Gilligan yesterday complained in Portlaoise District Court that proper procedures were not being carried out in relation to his detention.

Gilligan is representing himself on charges of possessing a mobile phone and SIM card at Portlaoise Prison on July 30th, 2008.

Speaking at a court hearing yesterday, he said he was considering seeking a judicial review in relation to the manner in which he had been remanded.

In sending him directly back to Portlaoise Prison following recent appearances, the court “didn’t carry out the procedures whatsoever”, he argued.

Gilligan maintains the court should have sent him to a remand prison before he was returned to Portlaoise. “This court hasn’t got the jurisdiction to remand me back to Portlaoise Prison,” he claimed.

Gilligan then asked the judge whether a stay would be put on the case in the event of a judicial review. Judge Gerard Haughton said no stay would be put on the case if Gilligan sought a judicial review in relation to the remands.

He said he had no intention of remanding the defendant to Cloverhill remand prison simply to have him returned to Portlaoise at the expense of the taxpayer. The judge remanded him to appear again on November 12th.

Gilligan has sought 100 witnesses for the case.