Former Clare All-Ireland winning hurler Niall Gilligan to face 'ground rules' hearing ahead of assault trial

Pre-trial hearing due to the ages of complainant and witnesses in the case, court told

Niall Gilligan, 48, of Rosroe, Sixmilebridge, denies the assault causing harm of a then 12-year-old boy during an alleged 'stick' assault.

A judge has directed a pre-trial "ground rules" hearing is to take place next month concerning the upcoming assault trial of former All Star and Clare All-Ireland winning hurler Niall Gilligan due to the age of the complainant in the case.

At Ennis Circuit Court on Tuesday, Judge Francis Comerford confirmed the pre-trial "ground-rules" hearing is to take place before the assault trial, which is anticipated to commence in July.

Counsel for the State Sarah Jane Comerford BL told Judge Comerford: “We are eager to move the case on in light of the age of the complainant."

In the case, Mr Gilligan, 48, of Rosroe, Sixmilebridge, denies the assault causing harm of a then 12-year-old boy during an alleged "stick" assault.

Judge Comerford on Tuesday fixed dates for trials for the next criminal circuit court sessions in April/May, and the assault trial for Mr Gilligan is likely to get a trial date for the three week long criminal court sessions commencing on July 15 after the pre-trial hearing has been complete.

There are two juvenile witnesses in the case, including the complainant, and they require court intermediaries who are appointed to assist juvenile witnesses with the court process.

Ms Comerford (instructed by State Solicitor for Clare Aisling Casey) said an intermediary assessment report had been completed in respect of the complainant in the case, and the State was in the process of obtaining an intermediary assessment report of another prosecution witness, who is also a minor.

Ms Comerford said with the two reports, “we wish to list the case for April 29 for a pre-trial ground-rules hearing”.

Patrick Whyms BL told Judge Comerford he was representing Mr Gilligan and was instructed by solicitor, Daragh Hassett in the case.

Mr Gilligan denies the charge of assault causing harm of the boy at the Jamaica Inn Hostel, Mount Ivers Road, Sixmilebridge, contrary to Section 3 of the Offences Against the Person Act on October 5th 2023.

Mr Gilligan was not present in court for the mention of the case on Tuesday and was not required to attend.

The DPP had initially directed that the case be heard in the district court but Judge Alec Gabbett declined district court jurisdiction in the case after hearing an outline of the State case against Mr Gilligan last July.

Mr Gilligan was a star forward for the senior Clare hurling team which defeated Tipperary to win the 1997 All-Ireland Final and was named an All-Star in 1999.

Judge Comerford further remanded Mr Gilligan on bail on the same terms to Ennis Circuit Court on April 29.