All-Ireland winner Niall Gilligan replies ‘not guilty' in court to charge of assault causing harm of boy, 12, with stick
Niall Gilligan, 48, replied "not guilty" when arraigned on two charges before a jury panel at
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Niall Gilligan has pleaded not guilty to the assault causing harm of a boy with a stick in October 2023
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The ex-
Dressed in a suit and tie, Mr Gilligan of Rossroe, Kilmurry, Sixmilebridge, also replied "not guilty" to producing a wooden stick capable of inflicting serious injury during the course of a dispute at the same location on the same date.
This offence is contrary to Section 11 of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act.
Counsel for the State, Sarah Jane Comerford BL - instructed by State Solicitor for Clare, Aisling Casey - told the jury panel that the alleged offences occurred at the Jamaica Inn hostel, Sixmilebridge on October 5 2023.
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Ms Comerford said that Mr Gilligan is alleged to have assaulted the boy "and used a wooden stick during that assault".
She said that it is anticipated that the trial will take four to five days and should finish by Tuesday or Wednesday of next week.
Ms Comerford called out a list of civilian witnesses to give evidence and included the name of the alleged juvenile injured party on the list.
She also listed the names of five witnesses who have compiled reports for the trial.
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Ms Comerford also provided to the jury panel the names of 18 Garda witnesses due to give evidence.
She said that the defence in the case has notified the State of the potential to call one defence witness during the trial - Martin Murphy, who resides at Kilmurry, Sixmilebridge, Co Clare.
A jury of seven men and five women was then selected from a panel to serve on the jury.
The selection process took just over 20 minutes as solicitor Daragh Hassett, for Mr Gilligan, and Ms Casey, for the State, each challenged potential jurors to serve.
The maximum number of challenges is seven for each side.
Judge Francis Comerford told the jury that the trial will commence on Wednesday morning and adjourned the case until then.
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The ex-Clare GAA hurler is alleged to have assaulted the boy 'and used a wooden stick during that assault'
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