The first of three state supergrasses will take the witness stand in the trial of John Gilligan this morning. Corkman John Dunne, whose currently under the state witness protection programme, will give evidence of his involvement in the multi-million pound drugs business allegedly run by Gilligan.
Mr Dunne was living in Cork at the time relevant to the case and Gardai say huge amounts of cannabis were being imported through Cork from Holland. Mr Dunne will allege he met Gilligan on six occasions at a hotel car park in Co Kildare and imported drugs for him through a Co Cork port.
Security will be tight this morning for the Dunne testimony, with members of the press and public being greeted by a walkthrough metal detector on entry, and being frisked by Gardai before being allowed to proceed into the courtroom.
Gilligan, 48, is charged with murdering crime journalist Veronica Guerin and faces 15 counts of allegedly importing cannabis and firearms. He denies all charges.