Accused bit Cork garda on the hand, court hears

A book of evidence was served on a 46-year-old man accused of assault causing harm to a member of An Garda Síochána by biting him on the hand.

Sergeant John Dineen confirmed service of a book of evidence on Danny Quilligan at Cork District Court.

On Sgt Dineen’s application, Judge Mary Dorgan sent the case forward for trial at the sessions of Cork Circuit Criminal Court on February 9, 2026.

Judge Dorgan previously said it was too serious a case to be heard at district court level when she heard an outline of the allegations.

The allegations were outlined by Sergeant Aisling Murphy.

“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,” said Sgt Murphy.

“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.”