Man on trial for biting off part of his cousin’s ear

A man went on trial yesterday for allegedly biting part of his first cousin’s ear off and spitting it into his face.

Patrick Quilligan, aged 26, with an address at 12 Pine Court, Ashleigh Downs, Tralee, Co Kerry, pleaded not guilty at Cork Circuit Court yesterday on a charge of assault causing harm to a namesake, Patrick Quilligan, a middle-aged man, at Commons Road, Cork, on December 3, 2008.

Because the defendant and complainant have the same name they were differentiated in the trial by their nicknames. The accused is known as Patrick Able Quilligan. The complainant is called Patrick Pedlar Quilligan.