Gardaí follow more than 850 lines of enquiry in Kieran Quilligan murder case, court told

Cork District Court heard that the file is expected to be forwarded to the DPP on the week commencing July 15 for directions

Kieran Quilligan’s remains were found following an extensive search in East Cork. Picture: Dan Linehan

Over 400 statements have been taken in the investigation into the murder of 47-year-old Kieran Quilligan, whose remains were found following an extensive search in East Cork.

Details of the intensive investigation of the case were revealed by Sergeant John Kelleher at Cork District Court on Tuesday.

A progress report had been sought by the defence representing Luke Taylor of no fixed address, and formerly of Cherry Lawn, Blackrock, Cork, who is accused of murdering Kieran Quilligan.

Sgt Kelleher said on Tuesday: “To date there have been 851 separate lines of enquiry, 412 statements have been taken and there are over 250 exhibits pertaining to the investigation for the file have been gathered.

In terms of CCTV alone, thousands of hours of CCTV were harvested and viewed by garda members assigned to the investigation.

“It is anticipated that the file will be forwarded to the DPP the week commencing July 15 for directions.” 

Mr Quilligan’s remains were found following an extensive search in East Cork. The murder count faced by Luke Taylor states that on a date unknown between September 1, 2023 ,and January 29, 2024, at an unknown location within the state in the District Court area of Cork city he did murder Kieran Quilligan, contrary to Common Law.

Gardaí started a murder investigation following the discovery of human remains found on Monday, January 29, at Rostellan in East Cork. The late Mr Quilligan had been a missing person since September 2023 and a search had been ongoing.

Frank Buttimer, solicitor, who stood in for Cathal Lombard, solicitor, said the updated position represented progress in the case and that there was consent to a further remand in custody until July 16 for the garda file to be sent to garda superintendent in charge of the investigation before onward transmission to the Director of Public Prosecutions.