John Gilligan released from Portlaoise Prison

Convicted drug dealer John Gilligan has been freed from Portlaoise Prison.

The 61-year-old walked out of the prison at 9.36am and was driven away in a grey Ford Mondeo with two other men.

He was originally given a 28-year sentence in March 2001, which was reduced by eight years on appeal in 2003.

He has been released as he is entitled to remission.

Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan has said he wants to reassure the public that gardaí are fully committed to dealing with organised crime in all its facets.

Asked about Gilligan's release, Mr Callinan said he would not comment on an individual.

Asked if gardaí would be monitoring Gilligan, Mr Callinan said that would be an operational matter.

Responding to questions on the legal challenge being reportedly taken by Gilligan to prevent the sale of the Jessbrook estate, Mr Callinan said the Criminal Assets Bureau would continue to pursue its statutory remit.

Jessbrook equestrian centre was developed by Gilligan in the 1990s and first seized by the courts more than 15 years ago.

It has been at the centre of a long-running legal battle between the Gilligan family and gardaí.

"Rather than getting involved in personalities and individuals, which is something we don't normally do, I just want to reassure the public that An Garda Síochána is fully committed to dealing with organised crime in all facets," Mr Callinan said. 

"Our job is to prevent crimes and where crimes occur to investigate, arrest and prosecute offenders and that is what we're committed to doing."

Meanwhile, former head of the Criminal Assets Bureau, retired Garda Detective Chief Superintendent Felix McKenna, said organised criminals would be reluctant to associate with Gilligan given his high profile.

Mr McKenna said that Gilligan's term in prison was a sign that the criminal justice system can be effective in bringing down major organised criminals, although he said this was always challenging given the intimidation of witnesses by some criminals.

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