Saturday 31 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 21297Drug trafficking (extradition request from Spain) · Co. Dublin

Darren Gilligan granted bail pending Spanish extradition hearing

Darren Gilligan, a 47-year-old man, was arrested in West Dublin on the morning of 12 April 2023 by the Garda Extradition Unit and the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation on foot of a Schengen Information System alert issued by Spanish authorities for drug trafficking and organised crime offences. He was brought before the High Court the same day and remanded in custody until 25 April 2023 by Mr Justice Barr, with Gardaí opposing bail. He was subsequently granted bail of 500 euro with conditions including daily signing on at a Dublin Garda Station and not leaving the jurisdiction. His extradition hearing is set for 21 June 2023, and his counsel said he is willing to consent to surrender to Spanish authorities once the European Arrest Warrant is provided to Irish authorities.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court12 Apr
    3 reports
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
A 47-year-old man, Darren Gilligan, was arrested in West Dublin on 12 April 2023 on foot of a Schengen Information System alert issued by Spanish authorities.
Where
The arrest took place at an address in West Dublin.
When
The arrest occurred on the morning of 12 April 2023.
Cause
The arrest was made in connection with an extradition request for offences related to drug trafficking and organised crime, involving about 3,500 euro and dating back to 2020.
Investigation
The arrest was carried out by members of the Garda Extradition Unit and the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, with Det Garda Adrian Murray arresting and cautioning Gilligan.
Charges
Spanish authorities issued an extradition request for drug trafficking and organised crime matters, though the Irish Times reported the offence as breaching public order and safety.
In court
  • Gilligan was brought before the Four Courts on 12 April 2023 and remanded in custody until 25 April 2023 by Mr Justice Barr, with Gardaí opposing bail.
  • Gilligan was granted bail of 500 euro with conditions including signing on daily at a Dublin Garda Station and not leaving the jurisdiction.
  • An extradition hearing is set for 21 June 2023.
Other details
  • Gilligan's counsel said he is willing to consent to his surrender to Spanish authorities but cannot do so until the European Arrest Warrant is provided to Irish authorities.
  • Prior to his arrest, Gilligan had purchased tickets to fly to Spain in the coming days.
  • Gilligan is the son of convicted drug dealer John Gilligan and had four previous bench warrants in this jurisdiction for a section 3 assault, no insurance, and two misuse of drugs charges.
24 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA 47-year-old male was arrested in West Dublin on the morning of 12 April 2023. (garda.ie)
  • whatDarren Gilligan was granted bail by the High Court. (thejournal.ie)
  • whereGilligan was arrested in west Dublin. (thejournal.ie)
  • whenGilligan was arrested on 12 April. (thejournal.ie)
  • investigationThe arrest was carried out by members of the Garda Extradition Unit and the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation. (garda.ie)
  • investigationThe arrest was made on foot of a Schengen Information System (SIS II) Alert issued by Spanish authorities. (garda.ie)
  • investigationHe was detained on foot of an alert issued by the Spanish authorities informing the Garda of a European Arrest Warrant. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationDet Garda Adrian Murray told the court he had arrested and cautioned Mr Gilligan at an address in west Dublin. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeThe offences are related to drug trafficking and organised crime. (garda.ie)
  • chargeSpanish authorities issued an extradition request for drug trafficking matters. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtThe man was brought before the Four Courts on 12 April 2023. (garda.ie)
  • courtHe was remanded in custody until 25 April 2023. (garda.ie)
  • courtGardaí were opposed to Mr Gilligan being granted bail at that time. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtMr Justice Barr remanded Mr Gilligan in custody and he will return before the court later that month. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtGilligan's counsel said he was willing to consent to his surrender to the Spanish authorities. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtThe judge fixed bail at 500 euro. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtGilligan's bail conditions include signing on daily at a Dublin Garda Station and not leaving the jurisdiction. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtGilligan was remanded in custody with consent to bail and must attend an extradition hearing on 21 June. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherDarren Gilligan is the son of convicted drug dealer John Gilligan. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherPrior to his arrest, Gilligan had purchased tickets to fly to Spain in the coming days. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherGilligan is willing to consent to his surrender to the Spanish authorities but cannot do so until the EAW is provided to Irish authorities. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe Spanish drug trafficking matters involve about 3,500 euro and date back to 2020. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherGilligan had four previous bench warrants in this jurisdiction for a section 3 assault, no insurance and two misuse of drugs charges. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherGilligan's counsel said he had failed to appear in court in October but had given an assurance he would turn up in April. (thejournal.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 2 May2023
    In courtthejournal.ie, first report
    Darren Gilligan granted bail on condition he attends court for extradition hearing next month

    Reports the High Court bail decision, the bail terms and conditions, and that the extradition hearing is set for 21 June.

    accused, Darren Gilligan, 47, male, named, irish (judged from name)Darren Gilligan
  2. 12 Apr2023
    In courtirishtimes.com, follow-up
    Darren Gilligan appears in court over warrant seeking his surrender to Spanish authorities

    Details of the initial High Court appearance on 12 April 2023: Gilligan was remanded in custody by Mr Justice Anthony Barr; the EAW had not yet arrived from Spain; his solicitor said he was willing to consent to surrender once the EAW was provided; he had purchased tickets to fly to Spain for another matter; gardaí opposed bail.

    suspect, Darren Gilligan, 47, male, named, irish (judged from name)Darren Gilligan
  3. 12 Apr2023
    In courtgarda.ie, first report
    Extradition Arrest of Male in West Dublin and Court Appearance, 12th April 2023

    Initial report of the extradition arrest and first court appearance; the man was remanded in custody until 25 April 2023.

    accused, 47, male