John Gilligan is still a free man after his drugs and weapons trial in Spain was suspended after a no-show by his son.
Instead of prison, the convicted drug dealer was told he was hours away from being rewarded with his passport back so he can drive to Britain for an operation.
Lawyers for the nine defendants weren't able to agree on a plea bargain with the Spanish state prosecutor.
There's a belief Gilligan's son Darren has returned to Ireland.
