Two men deny murder of Kieran Quilligan (47) in Cork

"Both defendants are charged with the murder of Mr Quilligan on a date unknown between September 1, 2023, and January 29, 2024, at an unknown location within the State. The charge is brought contrary to Common Law. The two men entered not guilty pleas when arraigned before Ms Justice Siobhan Lankford and a jury of ten men and two women at Cork Courthouse, Angelsea Street."

"Ms Justice Lankford was told by Donal O'Sullivan SC, for the State, that the case is expected to be quite lengthy and could last for between three and four weeks. Jurors were told they need to be available for the case until at least October 28. The hearing could feature up to 126 witnesses including Gardaí and householders as well as forensic, technical and medical personnel. It will also involve a substantial amount of CCTV security camera footage."

"His body was discovered almost five months later. Gardaí launched a murder investigation following the discovery of Mr Quilligan's remains and on receipt of the findings of a post mortem examination. Mr Quilligan was 5'7" in height, of medium build and with brown/grey hair and blue eyes. He also had a large and distinctive tattoo on the side of his head."

Niall Long (33) and Luke Taylor (27) are charged with the murder of Mr Quilligan on an unknown date between September 1, 2023 and January 29, 2024 at an unknown location within the State, contrary to Common Law. Both men entered not guilty pleas when arraigned before Ms Justice Siobhan Lankford and a jury at Cork Courthouse and only spoke to confirm their pleas. The case is expected to last three to four weeks, with jurors required until at least October 28, and could call up to 126 witnesses including Gardaí, householders and forensic, technical and medical personnel. The hearing will involve substantial CCTV footage. Mr Quilligan was the focus of a Garda missing person inquiry from September 2023; his body was found almost five months later and a post mortem prompted a murder investigation. He was described as 5'7" with brown/grey hair, blue eyes and a large distinctive tattoo on the side of his head.

Read at Irish Independent