Former Clare hurler Gilligan charged with assault of boy

Senior All-Ireland winning hurler with Clare Niall Gilligan has appeared in court charged with the assault causing harm of a 12-year-old boy.

The 47-year-old Sixmilebridge man appeared at Ennis District Court in connection with two charges, which he denies.

Mr Gilligan is charged with the assault causing harm of a boy at the Jamaica Inn Hostel, Mt Ivers Rd, Sixmilebridge contrary to Section 3 of the Offences Against the Person Act on 5 October 2023.

He is also charged with producing a wooden stick during the course of a dispute contrary to Section 11 of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act at the same location on the same date.

Solicitor for Mr Gilligan Daragh Hassett told Judge Alec Gabbett: “The matters are to be fully defended.”

Sergeant Tracy Stanley of Sixmilebridge Garda Station gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution of Mr Gilligan earlier.

Sgt Stanley said: “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 that there was no garda objection to bail for Mr Gilligan, subject to certain conditions, and Mr Hassett told the judge that the conditions had been reduced to writing.

These include Mr Gilligan of Rosroe, Sixmilebridge, residing at his own address and having no contact with the alleged injured party.

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.

Judge Gabbett imposed reporting restrictions, for now, on the identity of the alleged injured party as he is a minor and said that the boy’s parents would be asked about that issue.

Mr Gilligan was remanded on bail to appear before Ennis District Court on 24 July.