A decision on the disclosure of "sensitive material" in the case of Mr John Gilligan, who is charged with drug trafficking offences, is "pending" but the delay is not expected to postpone the start of his trial next week. At a pre-trial hearing at the Old Bailey, London, yesterday, Judge Rucker said he was satisfied to grant an adjournment without setting a specific date this week to rule on the admission of the sensitive material. However, the decision is expected in the next five to seven days.
Mr Gilligan's barrister, Ms Clare Montgomery, said she was "indeed anxious" to avoid further delay in bringing Mr Gilligan to trial. His trial date has been set for September 8th at Woolwich Crown Court and Ms Montgomery said she objected to Mr Gilligan spending further time in custody than was necessary.
Mr Gilligan was arrested at Heathrow Airport last October 6th as he attempted to board a flight to Amsterdam. Customs and Excise officers discovered £330,000 in pounds, Northern Ireland pounds and sterling concealed in his suitcase.
He is facing charges of conspiracy to import cannabis resin on ships to the Republic of Ireland in contravention of Section 19 of the Criminal Justice Act 1990, and with concealing the proceeds of drug trafficking under Section 49 of the Drug Trafficking Act 1994.
He is also charged with attempting to remove from Britain the proceeds of drug trafficking under the same Act and a fourth charge of assisting another person to retain the benefits of drug trafficking under Section 50 (1) of the Drug Trafficking Act 1994.
After spending 65 minutes with Judge Rucker in chambers and in an ex parte hearing, the prosecution and defence counsel emerged to discuss the adjournment of the ruling on the sensitive material. Mr Nigel Peters, for the prosecution, told the court he wanted to keep "certain sensitive material for the reasons given in chambers" and he would be seeking an adjournment on its disclosure. Edited witness statements from Mr Charles Bowden, from Dublin, and Mr Baltus, from Holland had been served on the defence, Mr Peters said, but other "still sensitive" material in green folders had not been disclosed.
Speaking outside the court after the hearing, Mr Peters said he did not know if extradition proceedings to Ireland would begin against Mr Gilligan this week. Either side could still apply to delay the start of his trial if they felt they had not had enough time to prepare their evidence, he added.