An undertaking was given in the High Court today on behalf of Mr Darren Gilligan - son of convicted drug dealer John Gilligan - that a house which he owns in Lucan would be repaired and secured and that he would reside there. The house had been found to be flooded earlier this month.
On foot of the undertaking, the President of the High Court, Mr Justice Joseph Finnegan, adjourned an application by the Criminal Assets Bureau for a receiver to be appointed to the premises, at Weston Green, Lucan, which is owned by Mr Darren Gilligan.
The Lucan house is one of a number of properties worth several million euros which are at the centre of legal proceedings between the CAB and members of the Gilligan family. The Gilligans are attempting to prevent the CAB seizing the properties.
Some years ago the CAB obtained a "freezing" order in respect of the Gilligans' assets but under legislation a seven-year period must elapse before assets which are frozen can be seized under court order.
Earlier this month the unoccupied house was found to be flooded. The sitting room ceiling was sagging as a result of water damage.
In an affidavit before the judge today, Mr Darren Gilligan said he utterly rejected the suggestion implicit in affidavits filed on behalf of the CAB to the effect that he had attempted to destroy or damage the property. He said he strenuously denied the suggestion that he had in the past stated a desire to destroy it rather than let it fall into the hands of the State.
Mr Gilligan added that it appeared from an affidavit of a fire officer that the grounds upon which concern was expressed on behalf of the CAB, namely the suggestion that the ballcock was "purposely tied up" with a view to causing deliberate flooding, now no longer arose.
Given the concerns that had been expressed as to the future security of the house, he proposed to reside there permanently and undertook to secure the premises. It was his intention to repair the damage to the ceiling of the sitting room and other damaged as a result of the flooding.