THE FAMILY of convicted drug dealer John Gilligan must be notified of any expenditure exceeding €10,000 incurred in the maintenance and letting of their properties, now under the control of the Criminal Assets Bureau (Cab), a High Court judge ruled yesterday.
Mr Justice Kevin Feeney was hearing applications by Cab to set up caretaker agreements and insurance for the Gilligan family assets which have been found by the courts to have been the proceeds of crime.
The Gilligans are appealing that finding.
The properties involved are Jessbrook House and equestrian centre in Enfield, Co Meath, two houses in Lucan and the original Gilligan family home in Corduff Avenue, Blanchardstown.
Gilligan's ex-wife Geraldine owns the equestrian centre and lives in the house attached to it, while Darren lives in the former family home at Corduff Avenue. John and his daughter Tracey own a house at Willsbrook View, Lucan, and he and Darren own a house at Weston Green, Lucan.
The Gilligans failed to prevent Cab legal officer Frank Cassidy from being appointed receiver and the case was back in court yesterday in relation to progress achieved on setting up caretaker agreements and getting insurance on the properties.
The court heard previously that Cab wanted to enter into an agreement with the Office of Public Works (OPW) for a rent and repair lease for the equestrian centre and attached lands.
The OPW would use the centre for storage purposes and pay Cab €65,000 per annum.
It was estimated it would cost €130,000 to secure and weather-proof the premises.
The houses at Willsbrook View and Weston Green are being rented.
Yesterday, Mr Justice Feeney granted an adjournment of proposed caretaker agreements for the houses at Jessbrook and Blanchardstown, in which Geraldine and Darren are living, to allow lawyers look at the agreements.
Ms Gilligan had expressed concern the proposed caretaker agreement for her house at Jessbrook would mean gardaí would have access to her home.
The judge also ordered that proposed expenditure of over €10,000 on repair, reinstatement or upgrading of the properties should be notified to the parties concerned who could contest it if they wished.
Paul Burns SC, for Ms Gilligan, said she was concerned, as owner of the equestrian centre, about the amount of money which would be spent on maintaining it because the cost of this would ultimately come from the value of the property.
Michael McDowell SC, for the Cab, said Mr Cassidy was anxious not to have to come back to court for every small detail, including whether "a Wendy house in the back garden should be unlocked".
Ms Gilligan and Darren were in court for yesterday's hearing as was, amid tight security, John Gilligan.