logo
Ex-All-Star hurler accused of assaulting boy (12) told gardaí he acted in a ‘reasonable manner'

Ex-All-Star hurler accused of assaulting boy (12) told gardaí he acted in a ‘reasonable manner'

Sunday World18-07-2025
The jury heard that Mr Gilligan made a pre-prepared statement to Gardai at Shannon Garda Station
Former All-Star and Clare All-Ireland winning hurler, Niall Gilligan told Gardai that he acted in a reasonable manner to protect himself from injury and assault from others at the Jamaica Inn hostel on October 5th 2023.
At Ennis Circuit Court today, the jury heard that Mr Gilligan made a pre-prepared statement to Gardai at Shannon Garda Station on February 19, 2024 in response to the then allegation that he assaulted a 12 year old boy with a stick at the Jamaica Inn hostel on October 5, 2023.
On Friday, the jury was also told that the 12-year-boy that Mr Gilligan is alleged to have assaulted sustained a fractured bone in his left hand.
Medical reports from October 2023 show that the boy on examination also had a 2 cm wound to his right forearm, a 2 cm wound to his right shin, bruising to his right shoulder while medics also believed that the boy lost consciousness briefly earlier on October 5, 2023.
The boy's hand was placed in a splint and he was advised not to engage in contact sports for one month after its removal later on October 20, 2023.
Photographs of the boy's injuries were also shown to the jury along with the muck-stained clothes that the boy was wearing on October 5.
In evidence, the boy's father said that he first brought his son to a VHI clinic at Raheen, Limerick on the evening of October 5 2023.
He said: 'Once they (medical staff) started cutting his clothes off him they were finding more and more injuries.'
He said: 'They found he had soiled himself which led them to believe that he was unconscious at some stage.'
He said that medics at the VHI Clinic made the decision that the boy should be transferred by ambulance to the A&E at University Hospital Limerick (UHL).
The boy's father said that he didn't believe his son's initial story that he had fallen off his bike.
He said: 'I definitely didn't think that he fell off a bike. He was covered head to toe in muck.'
The father said that his son 'had a swollen hand and he was limping. He was talking quite fast as well and he was pale so I imagine adrenaline and shock."
The father told the jury today that he got Niall Gilligan's phone number on the evening of October 5th after his son had told him what had occurred earlier where Mr Gilligan is accused of assaulting the boy with a stick.
Mr Gilligan (48) of Rossroe, Kilmurry, Sixmilebridge, denies the charge of assault causing harm with a stick at the Jamaica Inn hostel, Sixmilebridge on October 5th 2023.
In evidence, the father said that he phoned Mr Gilligan and said: 'I said I am currently in A&E with my son who you just viciously attacked.'
The father said that Mr Gilligan did not respond to the allegation.
In his account of the phone call, in his prepared statement read out in court by Dec Garda Noel Carroll, Mr Gilligan said: 'He said that his son got hurt. I made no comment to that after his son and others had broken into my building and caused extensive damage, including lighting a fire, releasing my fire extinguishers, breaking windows, writing graffiti."
Mr Gilligan said that he decided there and then to take legal advice 'as soon as I could about this call and make a formal complaint to the Gardai about the damage and trespass'.
Mr Gilligan was formally arrested on suspicion of assault at Shannon Garda Station on February 19th 2024 and accompanied there by his solicitor, Daragh Hassett, Mr Gilligan denied any assault and said that on October 5th 2023 at the Jamaica Inn hostel: 'I acted in a reasonable manner to protect myself from injury and assault from a person or persons unknown to me in the conditions that prevailed.'
In the statement running to five pages, Mr Gilligan added: 'I acted in a reasonable manner to protect my property from destruction by fire and further damage.'
He said: 'I didn't know who or what was coming at me that night."
'Something was coming at me, wasn't retreating or calling out to me so I had to defend myself as any reasonable person would."
'I feel sorry for the boy but the fact is that if he and others hadn't broken into my property, lit a fire, stole the keys and caused other damage, this incident would never have happened.
He said: 'Since this incident, there has been despicable commentary about me over what actually happened - none of which is true. I am glad that I have the opportunity to set the record straight."
On the incident with the boy at the Jamaica Inn, Mr Gilligan told Gardai that he realised on the evening of October 5th 2023 'that I wasn't alone in the building'.
He said: "I went back down slowly picking up a wooden stick I found on the ground. As I entered the hallway, I heard voices and then saw two people running away to my left towards the external door I had come in."
'I then heard footsteps fast coming behind me over my right shoulder. I felt I was going to be attacked so to protect myself I drew out with the stick on two occasions and then kicked out twice.
'I shouted at the person to get back as I did this. At that stage, I could see that I was dealing with a male youth. I grabbed him by his coat or jacket and brought him out of the building.
'We went around the back to see where the other two intruders had gone to.
'When we got around the back we got entangled in the dark and fell on top of each other on a slippery path under the pine trees."
Mr Gilligan said that he told the youth 'never to again enter my property".
He said: 'I proceeded to walk him out to the front gate. I asked him his name at this stage. He gave his name. He made no complaint of any injuries to me.'
He said: 'At that stage, I met Pat Donnellan who was parked outside. I told him that managing the property was a nightmare.'
Mr Gilligan said that he had been "very concerned about fire and vandalism at the Jamaica Inn hostel'.
He said: 'Around this time there were rumours in Sixmilebridge that I was going to lease the building as accommodation for asylum seekers
Mr Gilligan added: 'There was resistance locally to this and there was no truth in that rumour as I had never been approached but I was concerned about an arson at the property especially after a fire had been lit and fire extinguishers were discharged.'
Mr Gilligan said that as he had every concern that the building would be burnt out, he said that rang the Gardai on October 4th just before lunchtime and the call rang out.
He said: 'I called into Sixmilebridge Garda Station a few times that day but did not get to meet any Garda on duty."
He said that he called to the Garda Station on the morning of October 5th 'but there was no one there'.
Mr Gilligan said that he purchased the Jamaica Inn hostel in 2022 and sold it on in late 2023 to a company in Shannon who required accommodation for staff.
At the conclusion of the evidence on Friday, Judge Francis Comerford told the jury that they had heard a lot of evidence today.
He cautioned: 'Don't come to any firm conclusions in your own minds until you have heard all the evidence, the speeches by the lawyers and the charge from me.'
The trial continues before a jury of seven men and five women on Monday.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Teen boy rushed to hospital in critical condition after being struck by car in late-night crash as Dublin road closed
Teen boy rushed to hospital in critical condition after being struck by car in late-night crash as Dublin road closed

The Irish Sun

timean hour ago

  • The Irish Sun

Teen boy rushed to hospital in critical condition after being struck by car in late-night crash as Dublin road closed

A TEENAGE boy has been rushed to hospital in a critical condition after being struck by a car in Dublin 22 late last night. The youngster, aged in his late teens, was cycling a bike on the R113, Fonthill Road South in No other injuries were reported as a result of the crash but the cyclist is currently critical in Gardai confirmed this morning that they have launched an investigation into the horror collision. The R113 road has been closed as Garda Forensic Collision Investigators carry out an examination of the scene. READ MORE IRISH NEWS Local traffic diversions are in place on Fonthill Road South, between the junctions with Cherrywood Avenue and St John's Road. Officers have urged anyone who may be able to assist in their investigation to get in touch with gardai. A spokesperson said: "Gardai are appealing for witnesses to the incident to come forward. "Road users who may have relevant camera footage (including dash-cam) and were traveling in the area at the time are asked to make this footage available to investigating Gardaí. MOST READ ON THE IRISH SUN "Anyone with information is asked to contact Clondalkin Garda Station at 01 666 7600, the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111, or any Garda station." Gardai and RSA measures aimed at driving crash deaths on Irish roads Separately, an appeal has been issued after a woman sustained "life-threatening injuries' following a The incident occurred on the N13 Letterkenny to Ballybofey road in the townland of Listillion around 5.05pm. The Gardai said the woman is being treated for life-threatening injuries and there were no other injuries reported. 'ONGOING' PROBE Cops have asked anyone with information - particularly those with dashcam footage - to come forward. A garda spokesperson said: "Any persons who were on the N13 at Listillion between 4:50pm and 5:15pm and who may have witnessed the incident should contact investigating Gardai. 'Any road users who were travelling in the vicinity at the time, and who may have camera footage including dash cam, are asked to make this footage available to investigating Gardai. 'Gardai can be contacted at Letterkenny Garda Station on 074 9167100, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station. 'Investigations are ongoing.' 1 The R113 road in Clondalkin has been closed between Cherrywood Avenue and St John's Road Credit: Google Streetview

Cyclist seriously injured following collision with car in west Dublin
Cyclist seriously injured following collision with car in west Dublin

Irish Times

timean hour ago

  • Irish Times

Cyclist seriously injured following collision with car in west Dublin

Gardaí are investigating an incident in which a cyclist was seriously injured after being hit by a car in Clondalkin, west Dublin on Sunday night. The cyclist, who is in his late teens, was struck by the car on Fonthill Road South at about 11.40pm. He was taken to Beaumont Hospital where he is said to be in a critical condition. No other injuries were reported. READ MORE The road was closed for forensic examination, and local traffic diversions were put in place on Fonthill Road South, between the junctions with Cherrywood Avenue and St John's Road. Gardaí are appealing for any witnesses to come forward. Road users who may have relevant camera footage, including dashcam footage, are asked to make it available to gardaí. Anyone with information is asked to contact Clondalkin Garda station at 01 666 7600, the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.

Teen cyclist in critical condition after car collision as Gardai close road
Teen cyclist in critical condition after car collision as Gardai close road

Irish Daily Mirror

time2 hours ago

  • Irish Daily Mirror

Teen cyclist in critical condition after car collision as Gardai close road

Gardai have issued an appeal for witnesses after a cyclist was left in critical condition following a collision involving a car late last night. Shortly after 11.40pm on Sunday, July 27, Gardai and emergency services responded to reports of a serious road traffic accident in the Clondalkin area of Dublin 22. The collision took place on the R113, Fonthill Road South and involved a bicycle and a car. The cyclist, who is a male aged in his late teens, was rushed to Beaumont Hospital, where his condition has been described as "critical". No other injuries related to the accident have been reported but the road remains closed this morning to allow for a technical examination of the scene by Garda Forensic Collision Investigators. Gardaí and emergency services were rushed to the scene of the crash (stock) (Image: PA) Local traffic diversions have been put in place on Fonthill Road South, between the junctions with Cherrywood Avenue and St. John's Road. The Irish Mirror's Crime Writers Michael O'Toole and Paul Healy are writing a new weekly newsletter called Crime Ireland. Click here to sign up and get it delivered to your inbox every week Gardai have now issued an appeal for witnesses, particularly those who may have dash-cam footage of the area around the time of the accident, to make contact with authorities. "Gardaí are appealing for witnesses to the incident to come forward," a spokesperson for An Garda Siochana told The Irish Mirror. "Road users who may have relevant camera footage (including dash-cam) and were traveling in the area at the time are asked to make this footage available to investigating Gardaí. "Anyone with information is asked to contact Clondalkin Garda Station at 01 666 7600, the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111, or any Garda station." For more of the latest breaking news from the Irish Mirror check out our homepage by clicking here

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store