GERARD GILLIGAN ON THE RUN IN DUBLIN AND SLIGO: EX-US LAWYER WITH A DARK PAST

In April 2017, authorities and concerned members of the public identified Gerard Gilligan, a man with a troubling criminal history, wandering the streets of Dublin. Once a prominent legal professional in the United States, Gilligan's life took a drastic turn following his incarceration for possessing child sexual abuse images. Now 65 years old, he has been seen living in a modest hostel in Dublin's north inner city, a stark contrast to his former high-powered career.

Gilligan declined to speak when approached by the Sunday World in Dublin city centre earlier this week, simply stating, “I don’t want to be news.” His refusal to comment underscores the sensitive nature of his situation and the public's concern about his presence in the community.

His criminal record reveals a history of disturbing offenses. In 2015, Gilligan was sentenced to two years and nine months in prison after being found guilty of possessing a large collection of child abuse images in Sligo. The prosecution uncovered 646 printed pages containing graphic depictions of children under the age of 12, including infants. This evidence painted a disturbing picture of his involvement with such material.

Gilligan's past is further marred by four previous convictions of a sexual nature in the United States. Among these was a charge of aggravated sexual assault, for which he served a three-year prison sentence. His criminal history indicates a pattern of serious offenses involving minors.

According to a Probation Report, Gilligan is classified as a “high risk” of re-offending, raising ongoing concerns about public safety. His current situation, living on the streets of Dublin and previously residing in Sligo, highlights the challenges faced by the justice system in managing individuals with such a dangerous history. The community remains vigilant as authorities continue to monitor his movements and assess the potential threat he poses.