ENGLISH CHARGES AGAINST GILLIGAN ARE STAYED

English drug-trafficking and money-laundering charges against Mr John
Gilligan were stayed at Woolwich Crown Court yesterday. However, he will
remain in custody pending an appeal in February against his return to the
Republic to face trial for the murder of journalist Veronica Guerin and
drugs and firearms offences.

The decision not to proceed with the English charges against Mr Gilligan
came after a decision by Judge James Rucker at Woolwich Crown Court last
week to refuse an application to extend custody time limits on the English
charges and to grant unconditional bail on the English charges.

Mr Nigel Peters QC, for customs and excise, told the court that all criminal
proceedings on the English charges would be stayed and that the order had
been put in writing with the authority of the commissioners for customs and
excise.

He said Mr Gilligan's trial on the English charges had been technically
adjourned in 1997 after the courts gave precedence to Irish warrants for his
arrest in relation to Ms Guerin's murder. "The effect is that criminal
proceedings in this jurisdiction are brought to an end and that is the end
of the matter." Mr Gilligan has been in custody since shortly after his
arrest at Heathrow Airport in October 1996.

Mr Colin Nicholls QC, for Mr Gilligan, applied for costs in the magistrates
court and in the crown court in connection with the English charges. He said
Mr Gilligan had received legal aid for most of the proceedings on the
English charges but in the early stages his counsel and solicitors were
privately instructed. These costs should be paid from central funds.

Judge Rucker said Mr Gilligan's file on the English charges would be marked
in accordance with the decision to stay the case and he ordered that Mr
Gilligan's costs should be paid and taxed appropriately.