Jury resumes deliberations in trial of Niall Gilligan
Mr Gilligan, aged 48, and of Rossroe, Kilmurry, Sixmilebridge, denies the assault causing harm with a stick of the then 12-year-old at the Jamaica Inn hostel, Sixmilebridge on 5 October 2023.
At Ennis Circuit Court, Judge Francis Comerford had told the jury to make a fresh start of it today after they asked yesterday what would happen if they could not reach a unanimous conclusion.
The jury of seven men and five women deliberated for almost three hours yesterday and began again this morning.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Extra.ie
22 minutes ago
- Extra.ie
Healy-Rae makes his mind up after bizarre Garda 'shove'
TD Danny Healy-Rae has decided not to report a member of the Gardai after a baffling incident was filmed by many ahead of the All-Ireland final. Footage widely shared on social media appeared to show the Independent TD being pushed by a member of An Garda Síochána. In the most widely viewed clip, the Kerry man is seen waving his arms in a jubilant manner as he gets roaring fans pumped up for the match. Independent Danny Healy Rae TD at Leinster House. Pic: Sam Boal/Collins Photo Healy-Rae then turns to walk away before a Garda appears to push him as they pass. The TD then turns around and exchanges words with the officer who seems to fling something to the floor before stepping forward while audible boos emerge from the surrounding crowd. Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Healy-Rae had said that he was considering filing a complaint over the incident. However, speaking to The Journal on Monday, he said he's decided against taking formal action. 'I was upset yesterday evening when it happened. There was no need for it,' he said. 'It would be nice if he apologised, but I'm going no further with it. Let his superiors deal with it. I'm doing no more.' Footage widely shared on social media appeared to show the Independent TD being pushed by a member of An Garda Síochána. He added: 'I don't know what his problem was, or what excuse he had. I don't know.' Despite the incident, the Kerry TD praised the Garda presence overall: 'I think the rest of the guards did an excellent job yesterday. I've been shoved and pushed before, and I'm alright today. Look, he was wrong—but the rest of them are always fine.' Asked for a response to the incident, a Garda spokesperson said: 'Anyone who wishes to report the conduct of a member of An Garda Síochána is entitled to make a complaint to the independent policing ombudsman, Fiosrú.'
Irish Times
32 minutes ago
- Irish Times
Man tracked ex-partner's car before attempting to murder her, court hears
A man tracked and followed his former partner's car around Dublin while he disguised himself before attempting to murder her by stabbing her in the neck, back and abdomen, the Central Criminal Court has heard. Det Sgt Mark Murphy on Monday told the court that the victim, Lucia Nezbalova (43), had the 'extraordinary good luck' that a doctor who lived nearby had just arrived home from work when she heard screaming and came to help. The doctor kept Ms Nezbalova alive until an ambulance arrived, he said. The defendant, Pedro Cifali (37), a Brazilian with a former address in Blanchardstown, Dublin 15, previously pleaded guilty to attempting to murder Ms Nezbalova at the front door of her home in Garnish Square, Waterville, Dublin 15 on May 10th, 2024. READ MORE In a statement written by Ms Nezbalova and read by prosecution senior counsel Shane Costelloe, she said she bears the physical and emotional scars of an 'unthinkable' assault by her ex-partner and the father of her daughter. She said she had to learn to live in 'a body that no longer feels like my own' and suffers post traumatic stress disorder PTSD), severe anxiety and depression. Ms Justice Eileen Creedon will hear pleas in mitigation on behalf of Mr Cifali on October 20th before passing sentence. At today's hearing, Det Sgt Murphy told Mr Costelloe the relationship between the accused and Ms Nezbalova ended in April 2024. Following the break-up, he placed an electronic tag under the bumper of her car which allowed him to follow her. On the day of the attack, CCTV showed Cifali arriving at a garage in Blanchardstown in his work van minutes after Ms Nezbalova. He then tracked her to Blanchardstown Shopping Centre and parked about 100 metres from her car. He stood at the shopping centre entrance while Ms Nezbalova went inside. CCTV footage showed Cifali's attempts to disguise his appearance, Sgt Murphy said. He wore a baseball cap pulled down over his forehead, a blonde wig and his beard was lighter than its natural colour. Members of the public noticed him acting suspiciously and told security he appeared to be carrying a knife. Security officers searched for Cifali but he left the area a short time later and travelled to Ms Nezbalova's home. . She would later tell gardaí that as she approached her front door, Cifali appeared and told her: 'Don't worry, I just want to talk', however, he almost immediately pulled out a knife and stabbed her. The wound to her abdomen was so severe that her organs were visible, Sgt Murphy said. The following morning, Cifali phoned a garda station and agreed to surrender himself. In interviews, he admitted to stabbing Ms Nezbalova. Mr Costelloe said the Director of Public Prosecutions puts the attempted murder at the higher end for such offences, warranting a headline sentence of 15 to 20 years.
Irish Times
33 minutes ago
- Irish Times
Man pleads guilty over involvement in alleged incident involving ‘branding stamp'
One of five men accused of falsely imprisoning and attacking a man during an incident allegedly involving a 'branding stamp' has pleaded guilty to assault causing serious harm. Devon Hennessy (29) of Edgewood Lawns, Corduff, Dublin 15, also admitted at the Special Criminal Court on Monday to assaulting the man as part of a joint enterprise aimed at 'enhancing the ability of a criminal organisation to commit a serious offence'. He pleaded guilty before the three-judge, non-jury court to the false imprisonment of Barry Moore at a house on Sheephill Avenue, Dublin 15, on February 12th. Fiona Murphy SC, prosecuting, said the pleas were on a 'full facts basis' and said the State was asking the court to take two further charges on the indictment against Hennessy into account. READ MORE He has been remanded in custody until October 7th for a sentencing date to be fixed. Four of his co-accused are awaiting trial in connection with the alleged assault and are due before the court on Thursday. They are his brothers Jason Hennessy jnr (28) and Brandon Hennessy (22), of Sheephill Avenue, Blanchardstown, as well as Kenneth Fitzsimons (45) and his son Dean Fitzsimons, of Castlecurragh Vale, Mulhuddart, all Dublin 15. Ms Justice Karen O'Connor has said the court may hear the trial in the next term. The four are charged with false imprisonment, intentionally or recklessly causing serious harm and with participating in or contributing to the activity of a criminal organisation by assaulting the alleged victim causing him serious harm. Jason Hennessy jnr is further charged with threatening to damage property and producing a branding stamp to intimidate another person during a dispute or a fight on the same date and at the same location. Brandon Hennessy is charged with producing a 'steel breaker bar' in a manner likely to intimidate another person while committing or appearing to be about to commit an assault. Dean Fitzsimons is charged with making a threat to kill or cause serious harm to the alleged victim and producing a metal branding stamp and a steel breaker bar. Kenneth Fitzsimons is charged with producing a steel breaker bar and an axe during the course of a dispute or fight.
