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Courts
Gilligan fails to prevent trial
Judge dismisses Gilligan’s “double jeopardy” argument.
NOTORIOUS CRIMINAL JOHN Gilligan has failed to prevent a trial over his alleged possession of a mobile phone while in prison.
Gilligan objected on the grounds of “double jeopardy”, arguing that he should not be put on trial as he is already in prison.
The High Court was told that Gillian had been found to be in possession of a mobile phone and a sim card and that he had his privileges withdrawn for 56 days, RTÉ reports.
During this time, he was not allowed to exercise with other prisoners, he lost his visiting rights and he was confined to the same cell.
Today Justice Sean Ryan ruled that double jeopardy did not apply to Gilligan’s trial as it was a disciplinary procedure rather than a criminal trial and, therefore, the issue of double jeopardy did not arise.
Ryan also refused Gilligan leave to appeal to the Supreme Court, directing that the trial should proceed in the District Court.
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