Is John Gilligan Still Alive? Where is John Gilligan Now? Is John Gilligan in Jail? Who is John Gilligan?
by Alaguvelan M
Updated Sep 12, 2023
Who is John Gilligan?
John Gilligan, an infamous Irish gangster, garnered notoriety for his involvement in criminal activities, particularly drug trafficking. Originally sentenced to 28 years in prison for his role in trafficking commercial quantities of cannabis resin, his sentence was later reduced to 20 years. In a significant turn of events, Gilligan was released from prison in October 2013, having served 17 years of his term.
Born on March 28, 1952, in Dublin, Ireland, Gilligan embarked on a criminal career as a small-scale drug dealer before ascending the ranks of the Irish drug trade. By the early 1990s, he had ventured into the importation of cannabis resin from Morocco, further solidifying his position within the criminal underworld.
Gilligan's criminal notoriety reached its peak in 1996 when investigative journalist Veronica Guerin was tragically murdered. Guerin had been probing Gilligan's involvement in the drug trade, and her murder was widely perceived as a warning to other journalists daring to investigate his activities. Although Gilligan faced charges in connection to Guerin's murder, he was ultimately acquitted. However, he was convicted of importing cannabis resin and handed a 28-year prison sentence.
Following his release from prison in 2013, Gilligan relocated to Spain, where he currently resides. However, he is now on bail as he awaits trial on charges related to the alleged shipment of drugs to Ireland via postal services, a charge he vehemently denies.
Gilligan's legacy in Ireland is fraught with controversy, as he has been dubbed the "Mr. Big" of the Irish drug trade and has been linked to several murders, though he steadfastly refutes any involvement in these crimes. His case remains a subject of fervent debate, with some advocating for his continued incarceration as a dangerous criminal, while others contend that he has been unjustly targeted by the authorities.
Name
John Gilligan
Born
29 March 1952
Age
71
Place of Birth
Dublin, Ireland
Nationality
Irish
Spouse
Geraldine Gilligan
Children
2
Is John Gilligan Still Alive?
John Gilligan, a well-known Irish criminal, is still alive today. He gained notoriety for his involvement in the illegal drug trade, which resulted in a 28-year prison sentence for trafficking significant amounts of cannabis resin. However, he was released in October 2013 after serving 17 years behind bars. He also faced trial but was acquitted in connection with the murder of investigative journalist Veronica Guerin, who had been probing his drug-related activities in Ireland.
Currently residing in Spain, Gilligan encountered legal issues in 2020 when he was arrested for possessing drugs and weapons. He was later released on bail in December 2020, awaiting trial. Additionally, Gilligan had owned an equestrian center in Ireland, which was confiscated by the Criminal Assets Bureau in 2013 and subsequently put up for sale.
Gilligan's life has been marked by significant events, including surviving an assassination attempt in March 2014. During this attack, two gunmen shot him four times at his brother's residence in Dublin, causing critical injuries and even requiring him to receive the last rites. Nonetheless, he managed to recover from his wounds. At the age of 71 in 2023, John Gilligan was born on March 29, 1952, in Dublin, Ireland.
He was previously married to Geraldine Gilligan, with whom he had two children, but they divorced in 2018. Gilligan is also known for having nine tattoos, including ones featuring the Simpsons and Spiderman. During his youth, he was a fan of Chelsea Football Club and particularly admired Ronaldinho and Frank Lampard.
Where is John Gilligan Now?
Former crime figure John Gilligan is currently in a state of relocation. Dissatisfied with his situation in Spain and wary of the potential activation of his suspended sentence following recent convictions for drug and weapons offenses, Gilligan is looking to depart.
However, he has firmly ruled out the possibility of returning to Ireland or the UK, where he spent nearly nine years living along the Mediterranean coast. His precise destination remains uncertain, but he is determined to avoid countries that may jeopardize his liberty due to the looming suspended sentence.
Gilligan's decision to steer clear of his native Ireland and the UK is driven by his desire to evade potential legal consequences. His complex history, including his involvement in the controversial TV series about his life and crimes, adds further intrigue to his whereabouts as he seeks a new place to call home.
Is John Gilligan in Jail?
No, John Gilligan is currently not incarcerated. He was released from an Irish prison in 2013 after serving 17 years of his 28-year sentence, which was imposed for his role in importing cannabis resin. Following his release, he relocated to Spain, where he currently resides while on bail, awaiting trial for charges related to sending drugs to Ireland through postal services.
In October 2020, Gilligan, along with two other individuals, was arrested in Spain on drug trafficking charges. During the arrest, Spanish authorities confiscated various quantities of drugs and weapons. Subsequently, Gilligan was granted bail in December 2020.
Originally scheduled for trial in March 2023, Gilligan's court proceedings in Spain were adjourned due to the absence of his co-defendant son, Darren. His next court appearance is set for September 2023. The potential extradition of Gilligan to Ireland for his alleged involvement in drug-related offenses remains uncertain, as he has consistently denied any connection to the drug trade and expressed his intent to contest any extradition efforts.
John Gilligan Wife
John Gilligan's wife is Geraldine Gilligan. They got married in 1973 and have two kids, Darren and Tracey.
Throughout her husband's criminal career, Geraldine Gilligan has stayed out of the spotlight. She has never been accused of any crimes and has always said she's not involved in her husband's activities.
In 2001, Geraldine got a restraining order against her husband when he was accused of hurting her. The order stopped him from contacting her or getting close to her within 100 meters.
Geraldine Gilligan is trying to start a new life after her husband went to prison. She moved to Spain and works as a hairdresser.
We don't know if Geraldine Gilligan will stay with her husband if he goes back to Ireland to face trial on the drug charges. She says she'll support him no matter what, but she's also scared of him.
John Gilligan Documentary 'Confessions of a Crime Boss'
"Confessions of a Crime Boss" is a three-part documentary series about John Gilligan, a well-known Irish gangster who was convicted of crimes. This series was created by Peninsula Television and was shown on Virgin Media One in Ireland in September 2023.
The documentary includes interviews with Gilligan, as well as with his family, friends, and associates. It also has footage showing Gilligan's life in prison and what he did after he was released.
People have had different opinions about this documentary. Some think it's good because it helps us understand how a criminal thinks, but others don't like it because they think it makes Gilligan seem like a hero.
There have also been legal problems with the documentary. Gilligan's lawyers said it was invading his privacy, but the Irish High Court said it's protected by freedom of expression.
So, "Confessions of a Crime Boss" is a documentary that has caused a lot of talk. It's about the life of a very famous gangster, and it's made some people think.
Is John Gilligan Still Alive - FAQs
Yes, as of the latest available information, John Gilligan is still alive.
John Gilligan is a convicted Irish gangster known for his involvement in the illegal drug trade and other criminal activities.
He was sentenced to 28 years in prison, later reduced to 20 years, for trafficking commercial quantities of cannabis resin.
John Gilligan was released from prison in October 2013 after serving 17 years of his sentence.
John Gilligan's wife is Geraldine Gilligan. She has maintained a low profile and denies involvement in her husband's criminal activities.