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VIDEO: John Gilligan speeds away from Portlaoise Prison

The 61-year-old was released this morning after serving 12 years in the midlands prison.

http://youtu.be/313U0szb0dA

(YouTube: SineadOCarrollTJ/courtesy of Midlands 103)

AT 9.35AM TODAY, a metallic grey Ford Mondeo sped out of the gates of Portlaoise Prison.

Heading for Dublin, the vehicle was carrying one of Ireland’s most infamous crime bosses. Sixty-one-year-old John Gilligan sat in the backseat of the car, speaking on his mobile phone with his trademark grin on his face.

He was enjoying his first moments of freedom following a 17-year jail term.

Gilligan was originally given a 28-year sentence for drug offences but this was reduced to 20 years on appeal. The time served was shortened further because of remission and he eventually served a total of 12 years.

While behind bars, the notorious criminal was found on two separate occasions to be in possession of a mobile phone, and received extra six- and eight- month sentences for those offences. The Ballyfermot native has also served extra time in prison for assaulting a prison officer.

In the video, members of the media on motorbikes can be seen driving after the car.

Although the convicted man led the gang responsible for killing journalist Veronica Guerin in 1996, he was acquitted of the murder.

Video courtesy of Michael Dunne and Midlands 103.

Pictures: John Gilligan walks free from Portlaoise Prison

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45 Comments
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    Mute Anne Clarke
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    Nov 26th 2014, 7:47 AM

    Simple rules of the road is to drive on dipped headlights in foggy weather. This goes out to the idot who drove behind me last night with full lights on!! Also to oncoming cars!!

    178
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    Mute Eric Cantona
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    Nov 26th 2014, 7:54 AM

    General rule for irish drivers is to speed up and drive even closer to the car in front when’s it’s foggy, I see more drivers with their fog lights on when it’s clear out?

    134
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    Mute Moira Green
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    Nov 26th 2014, 9:37 PM

    At least that idiot had lights on; plenty of idiots with no kind of lights,sometimes even after dark.

    16
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    Mute Martina Lavin
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    Nov 26th 2014, 5:44 PM

    Can the tools who I’ve had to unfortunately share the road with these morning’s, please switch on your foglights! !!! Or any light for that matter!

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    Mute redmarauder
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    Nov 26th 2014, 7:48 AM

    Man It’s so foggy, you have to poke a hole to spit.

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    Mute Stephen Gaynor
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    Nov 26th 2014, 6:33 PM

    That’s what she said…

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    Mute Karen Cullen
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    Nov 26th 2014, 7:51 AM

    Living in a cloud

    32
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    Mute Del Haven
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    Nov 26th 2014, 8:10 AM

    Visible fog, visibly decreasing visibility.

    19
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    Mute FDL_
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    Nov 26th 2014, 5:37 PM

    I’m off work tomorrow. Needless to say I will be fogging it in the morning.

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    Mute Uncle Mort
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    Nov 26th 2014, 5:44 PM

    Wonder if the photo op will be better tomorrow? This morning wasn’t spectacular, I was hoping for some bootiful photies after last nights gorgeous sunset but it was just very ordinary.

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    Mute John Croghan
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    Nov 26th 2014, 5:53 PM

    Don’t forget Fermanagh & Tyrone. They are bad too.

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    Mute CitizenSmith©
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    Nov 26th 2014, 5:26 PM

    I did not see that happening

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    Mute Tom Lavin
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    Nov 26th 2014, 7:51 PM

    Quick question what is the story when driving a car with fog lights on and their red light beaming into the eyes of the driver behind , is it fair to say that the driver in front should turn off the their fog lights given the driver behind can see them thus reducing the risk of the red beam blinding the driver behinds vision
    Landed into work this morning with very sore eyes is there anything out there that covers this rules of the road basic driver decorum etc
    I’m afraid it’s going to be the same in the morning
    . ????

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    Mute david dickson
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    Nov 26th 2014, 7:22 PM

    John, if you want the NI weather then watch UTV.

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    Mute Shanti
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    Nov 26th 2014, 10:12 PM

    That picture of Stephens Green is beautiful. Kudos to the person who took it.

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    Mute Robert Wriggit
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    Nov 26th 2014, 8:26 PM

    These bullet points of Do’s & Dont’s are excellent and simple .

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