Former All-Ireland hurler Niall Gilligan pleads not guilty to assaulting boy with stick

Former All Star and Clare All-Ireland winning hurler Niall Gilligan has pleaded ‘not guilty’ to the assault causing harm of a boy with a stick in October 2023.

Before a jury panel at Ennis Circuit Court, Gilligan (48) denied two charges. He pleaded ‘not guilty’ to the charge of assault causing harm of the boy at the Jamaica Inn Hostel, Mt Ivers, Broadford Rd, Sixmilebridge. He also denied producing a wooden stick capable of inflicting serious injury during a dispute at the same location on the same date.

Dressed in a suit and tie, Gilligan, of Rossroe, Kilmurry, Sixmilebridge, will face trial for the alleged offences that occurred on 5 October 2023. The trial is expected to last four to five days.

Counsel for the State, Sarah Jane Comerford BL, stated that Gilligan is accused of assaulting the boy and using a wooden stick during the assault. The trial is set to conclude by Tuesday or Wednesday of next week.

A jury of seven men and five women was selected to serve on the jury after a 20-minute selection process. The trial will commence on Wednesday morning.