John Gilligan has insisted he had nothing to do with the murder of journalist Veronica Guerin. The drugs boss walked free from Portlaoise Prison this morning. He had been in custody since 1996 and was jailed in 2001 for drug trafficking charges.
He was driven away from prison in a car.
Despite insisting he would not talk to the media he has spoken to reporters - telling them he also never assaulted the journalist who was shot dead in 1996, nor threatened to harm her son.
He says he has been cleared by the courts and he will not be ducking and diving or hiding now that he has been released.
In an interview broadcast on the Irish Mirror website, his plan was to 'have another beer'.
Gilligan talked on the phone as he was driven away
Gilligan stood trial for the murder of Veronica Guerin but was acquitted by the Special Criminal Court in 2001.
Newstalk's Kieran Cuddihy was outside Portloaise Prison earlier and spoke to Breakfast.
