The Special Criminal Court has ruled it is entitled to proceed with an application by the State to confiscate more than £14 million in assets allegedly owned by the convicted drug-dealer, John Gilligan.
The court rejected submissions by Gilligan's lawyers that he was entitled to a jury trial for the application.
The State is seeking to confiscate £14.2 million which it alleges were Gilligan's profits from importing 20,000kg of cannabis resin into the State over a two-year period.
The court has heard that the State wants the High Court to appoint a receiver to realise Gilligan's assets which allegedly include an equestrian centre at Jessbrook, two houses in Lucan, a house at Blanchardstown, six vehicles, 16 bank accounts and over £5 million he staked in bets.
Gilligan is serving a 28-year prison sentence imposed by the Special Criminal Court on March 15th last for importing cannabis resin.
Gilligan (49), with addresses at Corduff Avenue, Blanchardstown, Dublin, and Jessbrook Equestrian Centre, Mucklon, Enfield, Co Kildare, was convicted on March 15th last of importing cannabis resin.
He was cleared of the murder of the journalist Veronica Guerin on June 26th, 1996.
The court adjourned the State's application for mention again on October 2nd when it will try to fix a date for hearing it during the next law term.