Murder trial hears blood found in car associated with one of accused had Kieran Quilligan's DNA

DNA profile matches were also found for Niall Long

The items related to a Toyota Rav car associated with Niall Long (pictured) and a white bucket with cleaning items that were seized from outside his house in September 2023.

A white Toyota Rav car associated with Niall Long, who is one of two men charged with murdering Kieran Quilligan two years ago, was forensically examined and blood stains found there matched the DNA profile of the deceased, it was alleged in the trial on Thursday.

Dr Sarah Fleming of Forensic Science Ireland testified today in relation to her examination of evidence gathered as part of the investigation. The items related to a Toyota Rav car associated with Niall Long and a white bucket with cleaning items that were seized from outside his house in September 2023.

Dr Fleming examined a light bloodstain on the wash care label of part of a T-shirt found in the bucket and DNA profiles were found for Kieran Quilligan and Niall Long, and for an unknown person.

Blood staining on the bristles of a brush matched the DNA of Kieran Quilligan, Dr Fleming said. Similarly a swab of suspected blood from the boot of the car matched the DNA of Kieran Quilligan.

A mat from the boot of the car had DNA profile matches for Kieran Quilligan and Niall Long, the witness said. Bloodstaining on a headrest had a DNA profile match for Kieran Quilligan, Dr Fleming said.

27-year-old Luke Taylor, formerly of Cherry Lawn, Blackrock, Cork, and 33-year-old Niall Long, formerly of St. Michael’s Close, Mahon, Cork, are on trial at the Central Criminal Court sitting in Cork facing the same charge of murder.

The murder count which each man denies, 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, aged 47, contrary to Common Law.

The trial continues before Ms Justice Siobhán Lankford and the 10 men and two women of the jury at the Central Criminal Court sitting in Cork.