Ireland Court of Appeal hearing on Midlands halting site firearms conviction
On 5 May 2018 at Arden Way, Tullamore, Co Offaly, Simon Quilligan, a man, was heard saying he would kill everyone at a halting site, and the case record lists John McDonagh, Melissa Cowman, Sandra O'Brien and Victoria Doherty as victims. A jury at the Central Criminal Court found him not guilty of attempted murder in December 2020 but guilty of possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life. Reports differ on his sentence, with one giving six years in March 2021 and another giving eight years with the final two suspended. On 25 April 2023 his lawyers argued at the Court of Appeal that the firearms conviction was perverse, and the court reserved its judgment.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court25 Apr
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- A man, Simon Quilligan, was tried over a firearms incident at a halting site.
- Where
- The incident took place at Arden Way, Tullamore, Co Offaly.
- When
- The incident occurred on 5 May 2018.
- Cause
- Quilligan was heard saying "I'll kill you all; man, woman or child" at the site.
- Weapon
- The offence involved a firearm.
- Investigation
- A ballistics witness gave evidence of a bullet-shaped hole in a nearby road sign.
- Other details
- The case record lists John McDonagh, Melissa Cowman, Sandra O'Brien and Victoria Doherty as victims.
- On 25 April 2023 the defence barrister described the firearm conviction as perverse.
- Charges
- Quilligan was charged with attempted murder and with possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life.
- In court
- A jury at the Central Criminal Court found Quilligan not guilty of attempted murder in December 2020.
- A jury found Quilligan guilty of possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life.
- Quilligan appealed the firearms conviction.
- The Court of Appeal heard the appeal on 25 April 2023 and said it would reserve its judgment.
- Sentence
- Reports differ on the sentence: one says six years' imprisonment in March 2021, and another says eight years with the final two suspended.
11 statements extracted from the articles
- whereThe incident took place at Arden Way, Tullamore, Co Offaly. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whenThe incident occurred on May 5, 2018. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- causeThe accused was heard saying he would kill everyone at the site. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- investigationA ballistics witness gave evidence of a bullet-shaped hole in a nearby road sign. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- chargeA jury found Quilligan guilty of possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtA jury at the Central Criminal Court found Quilligan not guilty of attempted murder in December 2020. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtQuilligan appealed the conviction for the firearms offence. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtThe Court of Appeal heard the appeal on Tuesday, April 25. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtThe court said it would reserve its judgment. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- sentenceQuilligan was sentenced to eight years' imprisonment with the final two years suspended. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherThe defence barrister described the firearm conviction as perverse. (leinsterexpress.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 25 Apr2023'I'll kill you all' - Midlands halting site firearms conviction 'perverse', lawyers argue
Reports the Court of Appeal hearing of Quilligan's appeal against his firearms conviction, the defence and State arguments, and that judgment was reserved. Covers the trial verdicts and sentence as background.
convicted, Simon Quilligan, 40, male, named, irish (judged from name)Simon Quilliganvictim, John McDonagh, irish (judged from name)John McDonaghvictim, Melissa Cowman, irish (judged from name)Melissa Cowmanvictim, Sandra O'Brien, irish (judged from name)Sandra O'Brienvictim, Victoria Doherty, irish (judged from name)Victoria Doherty