Former All Ireland-winning Clare hurler charged with assault of 12 ...
Senior All-Ireland winning hurler with Clare Niall Gilligan has appeared in court charged with assault causing harm to a 12-year-old boy.
At Ennis District Court on Tuesday, the 47-year-old Sixmilebridge man appeared in connection with two charges, which he denies.
Farmer and auctioneer Mr Gilligan is charged with the assault causing harm to the boy at the Jamaica Inn Hostel, Mount Ivers Road, Sixmilebridge, Co Clare, on October 5 last.
Mr Gilligan is also charged with producing a wooden stick during the course of a dispute at the Jamaica Inn Hostel on the same date.
Solicitor for Mr Gilligan Daragh Hassett told Judge Alec Gabbett: “The matters are to be fully defended.”
Judge Gabbett asked what was the age of the alleged victim in the case and Sergeant Tracy Stanley replied: "12".
Judge Gabbett commented: “It is very serious if it is a minor.”
The judge asked if the alleged victim was known or unknown to Mr Gilligan and Sgt Stanley replied: “Unknown."
Sgt Stanley, of Sixmilebridge Garda Station, gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution, of Mr Gilligan earlier on Tuesday.
“I arrested the defendant this morning at 10.31am on Main Street, Sixmilebridge, and conveyed him to Shannon Garda Station where at 11.08am he was charged as set out in the two charges before the court.”
Sgt Stanley said Mr Gilligan was cautioned after each charge and he made "no reply" in each case.
Sergeant Frank O’Grady told Judge Gabbett there was no Garda objection to bail for Mr Gilligan subject to certain conditions.
These include Mr Gilligan, of Rosroe, Sixmilebridge, residing at his own address and having no contact with the alleged injured party.
After reading the charges and the location of the Jamaica Inn, the judge asked: “Is there an element of trespass here?” Sgt Stanley said the building was owned by Mr Gilligan at the time.
Judge Gabbett said he would decide if the matter would be heard in the district court or the circuit court on the next court date and asked that medical reports in the case be made available to him.
On the adjourned date, the State case against Mr Gilligan will be outlined to allow Judge Gabbett decide on court jurisdiction.
Judge Gabbett imposed reporting restrictions, for now, on the identity of the alleged injured party as he is a minor.
At the end of the five-minute hearing, Judge Gabbett remanded Mr Gilligan on bail to appear before Ennis District Court on July 24.
Mr Gilligan was a star forward for the senior Clare hurling team which defeated Tipperary to win the 1997 All-Ireland Final.
The Sixmilebridge clubman also won two Munster titles with Clare and multiple honours with his club over a long and distinguished hurling career.
