Ireland Crime

Reports the jury's majority not guilty verdicts after five hours and three minutes of deliberations, ending the trial in case 1262; adds the second charge, the verdict details and defence arguments.

Reports the jury verdict: both charges returned as majority not guilty verdicts after five hours and three minutes of deliberation at Ennis Circuit Court, after five days of evidence and a six-day trial.

Reports the jury verdict: Gilligan was found not guilty of all charges, including a second charge of producing a wooden stick. Also gives the defence and prosecution arguments and that Gilligan walked free.

Jury deliberated for nearly three hours on Tuesday before asking the judge about next steps if not unanimous; Judge Comerford told them to break for the day. Defence and prosecution closing arguments summarised.

Reports that the jury deliberated for 2 hours 47 minutes on Tuesday 22 July 2025, asked what happens if they are not unanimous, and will continue deliberating on Wednesday. Adds the counsel closing arguments and the jury's question to the judge.

Reports the jury's retirement to deliberate, Judge Comerford's full direction on lawful force and self-defence, and the closing speeches by defence counsel Patrick Whyms BL and prosecution counsel Sarah Jane Comerford BL.

Reports that the jury has begun deliberations at Ennis Circuit Court on 22 July 2025, and that the judge's charge to the jury has been continued and deliberations will continue the next day. Adds the judge's directions on the issues the jury must decide.

Covers the State's and defence's closing speeches and the judge's charge to the jury in the Niall Gilligan assault trial, including details of the boy's injuries and the defence of reasonable force.

Covers the closing speeches by prosecution and defence in the Niall Gilligan trial, with the judge commencing his jury charge.

Reports on the trial hearing evidence on 20 July 2025: Gilligan's prepared statement to gardaí, medical evidence of the boy's injuries, the father's evidence, and the judge's direction to the jury. The jury was to continue on Monday.

Provides detail of Gilligan's pre-prepared statement to gardaí, the boy's medical injuries (fractured left hand bone, 2cm wounds, bruising, brief loss of consciousness), the father's testimony about the VHI clinic visit and phone call to Gilligan, and Gilligan's account of the incident including the alleged break-in, fire, and entanglement under pine trees.

Reports the teenage witness's testimony on Thursday 17 July 2025 at Ennis Circuit Court, including that he saw Gilligan go to hit his friend but did not see him hit him, and that the trial continues on Friday before a jury.

Details of testimony from the teenage witness and Linda Quinn during the ongoing trial, including the witness's retraction of his earlier statement that he saw Gilligan hit his friend, and Quinn's account of the boy's injuries that evening.

Reports the jury hearing the boy's video Garda interview and the start of his cross-examination at the ongoing trial in Ennis Circuit Court on 17 July 2025.

Reports the prosecution's opening speech at Ennis Circuit Court on 16 July 2025, including the State's account, and that the trial continues before a jury of seven men and five women. Adds the Section 11 Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act charge and Gilligan's self-defence account given to gardaí.

Reports the arraignment at which Gilligan pleaded not guilty to both charges, the jury selection, and the trial schedule set by Judge Francis Comerford.

Gilligan was arraigned at Ennis Circuit Court and pleaded not guilty to both charges. A jury of seven men and five women was selected, and the trial was adjourned to start on Wednesday, with an estimated length of four to five days.

Arraignment and not guilty pleas at Ennis Circuit Court; jury of 12 selected; trial due to start Wednesday and expected to last four to five days; 18 Garda witnesses and five report-writing witnesses listed.

Reports that the trial was directed to be listed for 15 July at Ennis Circuit Court, that a ground-rules hearing was held in April, that a court intermediary was appointed for the juvenile witnesses, that the juvenile witnesses will give evidence by video link, and that Gilligan was remanded on bail to 15 July. Adds the State's claim of a fractured left hand and the defence's position that the dispute is complete.

Adds the trial listing for July 15 at Ennis Circuit Court, the April ground-rules hearing, the appointment of a court intermediary, video-link evidence and bail terms. The introduction gives Gilligan's age as 47 and the body gives 48.

Pre-trial ground rules hearing fixed for 29 April; trial expected in July sessions; two juvenile witnesses require court intermediaries; Gilligan remanded on bail to Ennis Circuit Court.

Reports the Ennis Circuit Court pre-trial hearing on 25 March 2025: the ground-rules hearing is listed for 29 April, the trial is likely to be set for the July sessions, two juvenile witnesses will use intermediaries, and Gilligan remains on bail. Also gives the court history of the district court declining jurisdiction and the defence's position that the State's account is disputed.

Reports a Ennis Circuit Court mention in December 2024 at which the judge said he anticipated setting a trial date on 25 March 2025, that intermediaries must be arranged for the juvenile witnesses, and that Gilligan was remanded on bail. It also gives Gilligan's age as 47, while the existing case records 48.

Reports a procedural hearing at Ennis Circuit Court in December 2024 where the judge anticipated a trial date of 25 March 2025 and remanded Gilligan on continuing bail. Gives Gilligan's age as 47, where the existing case says 48, and places the Jamaica Inn in Sixmilebridge at Mount Ivers Road. Adds that intermediaries are needed for the juvenile witnesses and that the trial may fall in the April 2025 circuit sessions or the summer sessions.

Court mention at Ennis Circuit Court on 16 December 2024: judge expects to set a trial date for 25 March 2025, Gilligan remains on bail, and intermediaries and video link evidence are being arranged for the juvenile witnesses.

Reports the Tuesday (15 October 2024) mention at Ennis Circuit Court after the Book of Evidence was served. The trial was adjourned to 13 December, with trial dates to be fixed then, and the State sought priority because the complainant is young. The defence disputes the State's account. The article also gives the injuries alleged, and the DPP initially sent the case to the District Court, which declined jurisdiction in July.

Circuit court mention on 15 October 2024 where the State sought priority in fixing the trial date. Adds that the case was adjourned to a call-over on 13 December, that the trial is not likely before 2025, that Gilligan denies the charge, that the judge refused district court jurisdiction in July, and that a fractured left hand was among the injuries.

Reports that at Ennis District Court on 18 September 2024 Judge Alec Gabbett returned Gilligan for trial to Ennis Circuit Court after the DPP consented, and that Gilligan denies both charges. It also gives the State's account of the alleged assault and the injuries.

Reports the Ennis District Court hearing on 18 September 2024, where Judge Alec Gabbett sent Gilligan forward for trial at Ennis Circuit Court on the same bail terms. Gives Gilligan's age as 47, while other reports say 48. Adds the second charge of producing a wooden stick under the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act and the prosecution's account of the injuries.

At Ennis District Court on 18 September 2024, the case was sent forward to the circuit court on the same bail terms. Gilligan denies both charges. The article adds the DPP's consent, the circuit court sitting, the alibi notice requirement, and that both juvenile witnesses will give evidence by video link.

Reports that Gilligan was returned for trial to the next sitting of Ennis Circuit Court on 18 September 2024, after the Book of Evidence was served, with the DPP consenting to the case going forward on the same bail terms. He is described as 47 here. The article adds the firearms-offence charge and his denial of both charges.

Court report that Gilligan allegedly caused a series of injuries in an attack on a boy aged 12; the article body contains no further detail beyond the headline.

Court report of the hearing at Ennis District Court on 24 July 2024. The judge declined district court jurisdiction, the case goes to the circuit court, and the defence says there is a complete dispute over the State's account. The case was adjourned to 18 September 2024 and Mr Gilligan was remanded on bail.

Reports the 24 July 2024 Ennis District Court hearing, where the judge declined jurisdiction and sent the case to the Circuit Court. The case was adjourned to 18 September, the accused was remanded on bail, and the defence said the State's account of events is disputed.

Adds the 24 July 2024 Ennis District Court hearing, where the judge declined jurisdiction and sent the case to the circuit court; gives Gilligan's age as 47 and reports that he denies both charges.

The article body is empty apart from a headline and page template code. It matches existing case 2007 by the named accused, the assault on a 12-year-old boy, and the court stage. It gives no location or date.

Reports Gilligan's arrest and charging on 9 July 2024 and his first appearance at Ennis District Court. Adds the arrest and charge times, the second charge involving a wooden stick, the bail remand to 24 July, the reporting restrictions on the victim's identity, and that the case will be decided as to whether it goes to the district or circuit court.

First court appearance: Gilligan is charged with assault causing harm and producing a wooden stick at the Jamaica Inn Hostel, Sixmilebridge; he denies both charges and was remanded on bail to Ennis District Court on July 24th.

Reports Gilligan's July 2024 court appearance at Ennis District Court, the two charges, his arrest and charge, the bail terms and the next court date. It also gives the alleged victim's age and the stick charge.