Former Clare hurler Gilligan charged with assault of boy.Judge Gabbett said he would decide if the matter would be heard in the District Court or the Circuit Court on the next court date, and asked that medical reports in the case be made available to him. Innocent, until the Courts, Decide, District or Circuit Court?

Niall Gilligan denies the two charges

Senior All-Ireland winning hurler with Clare Niall Gilligan has appeared in court charged with the assault causing harm of a 12-year-old boy.

The 47-year-old Sixmilebridge man appeared at Ennis District Court in connection with two charges, which he denies.

Mr Gilligan is charged with the assault causing harm of a boy at the Jamaica Inn Hostel, Mt Ivers Rd, Sixmilebridge contrary to Section 3 of the Offences Against the Person Act on 5 October 2023.

He is also charged with producing a wooden stick during the course of a dispute contrary to Section 11 of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act at the same location on the same date.

Solicitor for Mr Gilligan Daragh Hassett told Judge Alec Gabbett: “The matters are to be fully defended.”