Man accused of murdering Kieran Quilligan to apply for bail

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

A 26-year-old man accused of murdering 47-year-Kieran Quilligan, whose remains were found following an extensive search in East Cork, plans to apply to the High Court to be released on bail.

This emerged on Tuesday at a brief hearing at Cork District Court where 26-year-old Luke Taylor of no fixed address, and formerly of Cherry Lawn, Blackrock, Cork, appeared by video link from prison.

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.

Sergeant Gearóid Davis said on Tuesday: “The file has been submitted to the DPP on July 10. We are awaiting the final directions.” 

Frank Buttimer, solicitor, who stood in for Cathal Lombard, solicitor, said: “Two weeks ago we were told the file was being assembled so this is progress. I understand there may be an application for bail in the High Court and you consent to a three-week remand.” Luke Taylor agreed with that.

The defendant was informed that if he was successful in his High Court application for bail then he must attend Cork District Court in person. Otherwise he will appear again by video link from prison. 

The case was adjourned to August 2 — the first of the remand courts held during the general closure of courts for August.

Details of the intensive investigation of the case were revealed by Sergeant John Kelleher at Cork District Court a fortnight ago.

“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,” Sgt Kelleher said.

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.