The Court of Criminal Appeal has reserved judgment in the appeal by John Gilligan against his conviction on drug charges.
Gilligan's appeal concluded this afternoon after a seven day hearing.
The three judges - Mr Justice McCracken, Mr Justice Quirke and Mr Justice Peart, said the court would give its decision as soon as possible.
Gilligan is also appealing the severity of the 28-year sentence imposed on him the Special Criminal Court in March 2001. If his appeal against the conviction is dismissed, the court will then fix a date for the hearing of submissions against the severity of his 28-year sentence.
Gilligan was convicted of possession of cannabis resin and having the drug for sale or supply, but, was acquitted of the murder of journalist Veronica Guerin on June 26th 1996 and also cleared of firearms charges.
Three alleged former accomplices of his — Charles Bowden, Russell Warren and John Dunne — testified against Gilligan. All three have been freed from prison having completed what Gilligan's lawyers described as "derisory" sentences on various charges and have been placed on the Witness Protection Scheme under which they received new identities.
In closing submissions yesterday for the DPP, Mr Eamon Leahy SC, rejected criticism by Gilligan's lawyers of the Special Criminal Court's refusal to hold an inquiry into the fairness or otherwise of the treatment of Gilligan while he was in custody in Britain. He said the Special Criminal Court had no jurisdiction to embark on any such inquiry.
Cousnel for the DPP, Mr Eamon Leahy SC, argued that the Special Criminal Court was correct in refusing an application on behalf of Gilligan for a direction that the evidence of Bowden should not be admitted on grounds that he was compromised and an established perjurer.
Replying on behalf of Gilligan, Mr Michael O'Higgins SC, said the prosecution had failed to address many of the issues raised by Gilligan in the appeal, including a lot of substantial issues.