Cork court: Judge refuses jurisdiction in case of man accused of biting garda

A member of An Garda Síochána was allegedly 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 46-year-old Danny Quilligan were made by Sergeant Aisling Murphy at Cork District Court. 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 the judge’s refusal to accept 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. Gardaí 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 towards gardaí. 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 in the vehicle 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.