The producer of a new interview series with convicted drug dealer John Gilligan has defended the programme, insisting, 'stories like this should be told'.

The three-part 'Confessions of a Crime Boss', will be broadcast on Virgin Media One, beginning tonight.

Producer David Harvey told Newstalk Breakfast the opportunity was too good to pass up.

"We made it because we were offered an opportunity to spend some time with John Gilligan," he said.

"As an opportunity to put John Gilligan on the record for a company like ours, that specialises in making international crime television, it was too good an opportunity to miss."

John Gilligan is seen in 'Confessions of a Crime Boss'. Picture by: Virgin Media

Asked about criticism from Minister Hildegarde Naughton, who is responsible for the National Drugs Strategy, Mr Harvey said he is not concerned.

"I don't think the minister would have said anything had RTÉ not stuck a mic in front of her, quite frankly," he said.

"So, I'm not particularly concerned about what she said.

"I think she was opportunistically jumping on it when she was asked the question.

"She didn't issue a statement in advance, so that's what I mean by that."

John Gilligan is seen in 'Confessions of a Crime Boss'. Picture by: Virgin Media

 Mr Gilligan has previously insisted he had nothing to do with the murder of journalist Veronica Guerin.

Ms Guerin's brother Jimmy has said he did not want to be involved in the programme, something Mr Harvey said he "wasn't surprised" about.

Mr Harvey said Gilligan does not go unchallenged.

"John Gilligan has an uncomfortable relationship with the truth," he said.

"He has maintained this is the way it is all his life, and in this documentary he tells his story from A to Z.

"It's not a particularly admirable way of living your life.

"We're not letting him speak freely about himself, everything he says is contradicted word by word actually.

"It's not John Gilligan on his own, there are plenty of other participants in this programme who I have the height of respect for."

Asked if this series shows an insensitivity to Ms Guerin's family or her legacy, Mr Harvey said: "I don't think so, I think this puts John Gilligan on the public record."

"I believe stories like this should be told.

"It is Gilligan telling his story, but Gilligan telling his story within a framework that allows the truth to come out," he added.

'Confessions of a Crime Boss' starts Monday at 10pm on Virgin Media One

Main image: John Gilligan is seen in 'Confessions of a Crime Boss'. Picture by: Virgin Media