Murderer Boland appeals over Conor McGregor reference at Tallow murder trial
Maurice Boland, a 39-year-old man, was convicted of murdering Cian Gallagher, a 26-year-old man, after punching him on Barrack Street in Tallow, Co Waterford, on November 2 into the early hours of November 3, 2022, with Gallagher dying in hospital eight days later from head injuries. Boland, who pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter, was found guilty following two Central Criminal Court trials, the first in April 2024 ending in a jury disagreement, and was jailed for life by Ms Justice Eileen Creedon in December 2024. He is now appealing at the Court of Appeal, arguing that his reference to punching Gallagher 'like Conor McGregor' should not have been heard by the jury because it carried 'toxic masculinity' baggage amid the publicity surrounding McGregor's civil rape trial. The Court of Appeal panel of Mr Justice John Edwards, Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy, and Ms Justice Tara Burns viewed CCTV footage of the attack and reserved judgment.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court29 Jul
2 reports - Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Cian Gallagher, 26, was punched by Maurice Boland, 39, and died in hospital eight days later from head injuries.
- When
- The attack took place on November 2 into the early hours of November 3, 2022, and Gallagher died in hospital eight days later.
- Where
- The attack took place on Barrack Street in Tallow, Co Waterford, where Boland also lives at Bridgeview Close.
- Cause
- Pathology evidence showed Gallagher died from injuries sustained when he fell and banged his head on the ground after being punched.
- Charges
- Boland pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter.
- In court
- Boland's first trial in April 2024 ended in a jury disagreement, and he was convicted of murder following a second Central Criminal Court trial.
- Boland is appealing at the Court of Appeal, arguing his reference to punching Gallagher 'like Conor McGregor' should not have been heard by the jury due to 'toxic masculinity' baggage from the concurrent McGregor civil trial.
- The Court of Appeal panel of Mr Justice John Edwards, Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy, and Ms Justice Tara Burns viewed CCTV footage of the attack and reserved judgment.
- Sentence
- Boland was jailed for life by Ms Justice Eileen Creedon in December 2024.
- Other details
- Boland has 23 previous convictions and was on bail for a section 3 assault causing harm charge for which he had received a two-year sentence.
- During Boland's trial, a High Court civil jury found Conor McGregor civilly liable for raping Nikita Hand in a hotel room in December 2018 and awarded her just under €250,000 in damages.
28 statements extracted from the articles
- whatDuring Boland's trial, McGregor was involved in civil proceedings in the High Court (irishtimes.com)
- whatA jury found McGregor civilly liable for the rape of Nikita Hand (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe civil jury determined McGregor raped Hand in a hotel room in December 2018 (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe civil jury awarded Hand just under €250,000 in damages (irishtimes.com)
- whatBoland was convicted of murdering Cian Gallagher, 26 (irishtimes.com)
- whatGallagher died in hospital eight days after the attack (irishtimes.com)
- whereBoland lives at Bridgeview Close, Tallow, Co Waterford, and the attack took place on Barrack Street in Tallow (irishmirror.ie)
- whereBoland lives at Bridgeview Close, Tallow, Co Waterford (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe assault took place on Barrack Street in Tallow (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe attack happened on November 2 into the early hours of November 3, 2022, and Gallagher died in hospital eight days later (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe attack happened on November 2nd into the early hours of November 3rd, 2022 (irishtimes.com)
- causePathology evidence showed Gallagher died from injuries sustained when he fell and banged his head on the ground after Boland punched him (irishmirror.ie)
- causeGallagher died from injuries sustained when he fell and banged his head on the ground after being punched (irishtimes.com)
- chargeBoland pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter (irishmirror.ie, irishtimes.com)
- chargeThe prosecution case was that Boland intended to cause serious harm, not to kill (irishmirror.ie)
- courtBoland was convicted of murdering Cian Gallagher following two Central Criminal Court trials (irishmirror.ie)
- courtBoland's first trial in April 2024 ended in a jury disagreement (irishmirror.ie, irishtimes.com)
- courtThe Court of Appeal viewed CCTV footage of the attack and heard submissions before reserving judgment (irishmirror.ie)
- courtMr Justice John Edwards, Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy, and Ms Justice Tara Burns reserved judgment (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe conviction followed two Central Criminal Court trials (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe Court of Appeal viewed CCTV footage of the attack (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe Court of Appeal reserved judgment (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceBoland was jailed for life by Ms Justice Eileen Creedon in December 2024 (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceBoland was jailed for life by Judge Eileen Creedon in December 2024 (irishtimes.com)
- otherA High Court civil jury found Conor McGregor civilly liable for raping Nikita Hand in a hotel room in December 2018 (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe civil jury awarded Nikita Hand just under €250,000 in damages (irishmirror.ie)
- otherBoland has 23 previous convictions (irishmirror.ie)
- otherBoland was on bail for a section 3 assault causing harm charge for which he had received a two-year sentence (irishmirror.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 29 Jul2026Murderer says reference to Conor McGregor in trial brought ‘toxic masculinity’ baggage
Court of Appeal hearing on Boland's appeal regarding admissibility of the Conor McGregor reference; judgment reserved.
victim, Cian Gallagher, 26, male, irish (judged from name)Cian Gallagherconvicted, Maurice Boland, 39, male, named, irish (judged from name)Maurice Boland - 29 Jul2026Murderer claims reference to Conor McGregor brought 'toxic masculinity' baggage
Provides full detail of the Court of Appeal hearing arguments, including the defence challenge to the Lismore evidence, the prosecution's response, the pathology evidence, and confirmation that the panel reserved judgment.
victim, Cian Gallagher, 26, male, irish (judged from name)Cian Gallagherconvicted, Maurice Boland, 39, male, named, irish (judged from name)Maurice Boland