Two men appear in court charged with murder of Kieran Quilligan in Cork

Olivia Kelleher

Two men have appeared before Cork District Court charged with the murder of 47-year-old Kieran Quilligan.

Mr Quilligan's remains were found in scrubland on the main Midleton to Whitegate Road in east Cork on January 29th having been reported missing last September.

At Tuesday's hearing, Detective Garda Brian Barron gave evidence of the arrest, charge and caution of Niall Long.

Mr Long (31) is charged with Mr Quilligan's murder on a date unknown between September 1st, 2023, and January 29th, 2024, at a place unknown in the State.

Det Garda Barron told the court that Mr Long, of St Michael’s Close, Mahon, Cork city, was arrested at his home on February 5th and made no reply when the charge was put to him under caution.

Sergeant Pat Lyons said the State was applying for Mr Quilligan to be remanded in custody pending directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions.

However, the garda indicated that he did not expect directions in the case to be available when Mr Long next appears before the court via videolink on February 13th.

Defence solicitor Shane Collins Daly said his client understood he was unable to apply for bail in the case. Applications for bail concerning charges for murder can only be heard by the High Court.

Judge Mary Dorgan granted free legal aid in the case having heard the defendant is unemployed.

Mr Collins Daly said Mr Long had been in the process of applying for disability benefit.

As Mr Long was being brought back to the custody area, some members of the Quilligan family became emotional and shouted in his direction.

As the family left the courtroom, one male member of the family said: “We apologise your honour” to Judge Dorgan.

Later, Detective Garda Anne O’Sullivan gave evidence of the arrest, charge and caution in the case of Luke Taylor, who is also charged with Mr Quilligan's murder.

Det Garda O’Sullivan told the court the 26-year-old said he “didn’t murder no one” when the charge was put to him under caution.

Judge Dorgan also remanded Mr Taylor in custody.

Mr Taylor, of no fixed address but formerly of Cherry Lawn in Blackrock, Cork, will appear in court via videolink from when he is next before the court on February 13th.