Murder accused called to garda station expressing concern for missing friend, trial hears

One of the two men accused of murdering 47-year-old Kieran Quilligan in Cork two years ago called into a garda station a week after Mr Quilligan went missing to say that he was concerned about his friend’s welfare and wanted to help the gardaí.

This evidence was given today on the second day of the murder trial at the Central Criminal Court, sitting in Cork.

Garda James Bird was on duty in the public office of Anglesea Street garda station at 4.40pm on September 8 2023 when Luke Taylor arrived at the hatch. Mr Quilligan’s partner had not seen him since around 8.30pm on September 1 2023.

“Luke Taylor called at the hatch. He said he was concerned about the welfare of his friend Kieran Quilligan and he wanted to assist gardaí,” 

Garda Bird testified.

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, on the single 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, contrary to Common Law.

Garda Bird said today that he invited Luke Taylor into a consultation room at Anglesea Street garda station after the young man offered his assistance. Sergeant John Gleeson was notified of Mr Taylor’s arrival and he also went to the room.

Garda Bird said: “I asked him to recall his last known movements. He said they left his (Kieran Quilligan’s) apartment at Anderson’s Quay with the intention of meeting a group known as ‘the blacks’ to obtain crack cocaine for personal use, and also arrangements were made to go towards the train station to get a quantity of cocaine.

“He said that on that day they had both consumed a large quantity of prescription drugs. As they moved on to meet this group, Mr Quilligan was told (by text) that the location was changed from Morrison’s Island to the Electric pub on South Mall, and the 'white bridge' (Nano Nagle bridge) at Grand Parade.

“Mr Taylor said he believed tablets were beginning to take effect and his memory was becoming hazy – he could not remember much more until he woke up in his girlfriend’s apartment at Jacob’s Island the next morning. 

"He said he had €200 less in his pocket than he had the previous night.” 

Further garda witnesses are giving evidence today as the trial continues before Ms Justice Siobhán Lankford and a jury of ten men and two women.