Gilligan 'punched officer in jaw', court told
A prison officer told the Special Criminal Court today that convicted drugs dealer John Gilligan punched him in the jaw as he escorted him to a professional visit in Portlaoise Prison last year.
Prison officer Martin Ryan said that Gilligan had earlier asked for the tuck shop to be opened and had gone with another prison officer to seek permission from the Chief Officer.
He said Gilligan returned unaccompanied and as a second security gate was opened to let them through "prisoner Gilligan threatened me and told me I was nothing only a c... and a f...ing scumbag.''
"He also struck me a blow on the left jaw with his clenched fist," Mr Ryan added.
Mr Ryan said that later when Gilligan was about to be strip searched before the professional visit with his solicitor he "abused and threatened me again and told me that I would be killed".
Mr Ryan said Gilligan said that he and another prison officer Declan O' Reilly would be killed on their way to work and he would prove he wasn't joking.
Gilligan also said that he would "get" Mr Ryan's and Mr O' Reilly's families.
Mr Ryan said he and his family took the threats very seriously and he added:"Myself and my family are still seeing a psychiatrist."
Gilligan has pleaded not guilty to assaulting prison officer Martin Ryan causing him harm at Portlaoise Prison on March 25 last year.
He also denied threatening Mr Ryan that he would be killed and with also threatening prison officer Declan O' Reilly that he would be killed on the same date.
Gilligan is serving a 28-year prison sentence imposed by the Special Criminal Court on March 15 last year for importing cannabis resin.
John Gilligan (aged 50), with addresses at Corduff Avenue, Blanchardstown, Dublin, Jessbrook Equestrian Centre, Mucklon, Enfield, Co Kildare, was convicted of 11 offences of unlawfully importing cannabis resin into the State on various dates between July 1, 1994 and October 6, 1996, that he unlawfully possessed cannabis resin for sale or supply on the same dates and that on or about October 3, 1996 at Greenmount Industrial Estate, Harold's Cross, Dublin he had cannabis resin for sale or supply.
He was cleared of the murder of journalist Veronica Guerin on June 26, 1996.
The trial continues tomorrow.
