Two sets of handcuffs used to restrain Cork man charged over biting garda's hand

The man bit the left hand of a garda, breaking the skin and drawing blood

Additional garda units arrived to assist with the arrest.

A member of An Garda Síochána was bitten on the hand in “quite a shocking incident” where two sets of handcuffs had to be used on the attacker because of his volatile behaviour.

The allegations against Danny Quilligan, aged 46, were made by Sergeant Aisling Murphy at Cork District Court where Judge Mary Dorgan said it was too serious a case to be heard at district court level. It will now have to be sent back for further directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions in light of judge’s refusal to accept district court jurisdiction.

Sgt Murphy outlined the background to the incident that gave rise to the man being charged.

“On April 11, Gardaí Bryan English and Emmet Long of The Togher District Drugs Unit were on mobile patrol at Lehenaghmore, Togher, Cork, and they observed a lorry being driven by a man who was not wearing a seatbelt. Gardai spoke to the driver of this vehicle, Danny Quilligan, of 3 Aisling Court, Lehenaghmore, Cork.

“As gardaí were speaking with him, Mr Quilligan became abusive. Mr Quilligan began cursing and using profanities towards them in a threatening and abusive manner.

“Mr Quilligan then locked his vehicle, closed the windows, and held the horn on his vehicle down for over a minute. (Others) then began arriving at the scene and it became very hostile. Gardaí requested additional units to attend. While awaiting assistance Mr Quilligan was egging (others) on.

“Gardaí directed him to unlock his vehicle. Mr Quilligan refused to do so. Once additional Garda units arrived to assist, Mr Quilligan put his window down and gardaí were able to unlock it. Mr Quilligan continued in a threatening and abusive manner towards gardaí while stepping out of the vehicle. Mr Quilligan then refused to place his hands behind his back once out of the vehicle after multiple directions to do so. He violently lashed out.

“After a struggle he was brought to the ground. While on the ground, Mr Quilligan bit the left hand of Garda Emmet Long, breaking the skin and drawing blood. Danny Quilligan continued to lash out and two sets of handcuffs had to be applied to him.”

He appeared in Cork District Court charged with assault causing harm to Garda English and engaging in threatening and abusive behaviour.

Judge Dorgan said it was the first time she had ever heard of one arrested man requiring two sets of handcuffs and she described it as quite a shocking incident: “I am refusing jurisdiction. There are a number of significantly aggravating factors and the entire manner in which he allegedly dealt with it.” 

The case was adjourned until October 30 with the defendant remanded on bail until then.