The convicted drug dealer John Gilligan has discharged himself from hospital and left the country.

Journalist Conor Feehan from the Herald says he left the Connolly Hospital in Blanchardstown late last night and took a ferry to Holyhead.

He says it follows a fatal shooting in Lucan in Dublin at the weekend, which may be linked to the attack on Gilligan two weeks ago.

Conor Feehan says he was wheeled out of hospital in a wheelchair, under the cover of darkness: