Court archive
Court reports mentioning Tallow, Waterford
2026-07-28 · Waterford
Maurice Boland, convicted of murdering Cian Gallagher (26) in Tallow, Co Waterford, is appealing his life sentence imposed by Ms Justice Eileen Creedon in December 2024. Boland, who pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter, was found guilty following two Central Criminal Court trials. His counsel, Michael Bowman, argued before the Court of Appeal that the trial judge erred in admitting evidence of Boland bragging he punched the victim "like Conor McGregor." Bowman contended that McGregor's name carried "toxic masculinity" baggage due to concurrent civil proceedings where he was found liable for rape, potentially biasing the jury. The State, represented by Bernard Condon SC, countered that the evidence was "eminently admissible" to demonstrate Boland's intent to cause serious harm and his aggressive state of mind. The court also considered challenges to evidence of Boland's threatening behavior earlier that night. The Court of Appeal, comprising Mr Justice John Edwards, Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy, and Ms Justice Tara Burns, viewed CCTV footage and heard submissions. The matter was adjourned, with the court reserving judgment to be delivered at a later date.
2024-12-16 · Waterford
The family of 26‑year‑old Cian Gallagher, murdered on 2 November 2022 in Tallow, Co. Waterford, delivered an emotional victim impact statement at the Central Criminal Court during the sentencing of Maurice Boland. They urged Irish society to consider who should be role models for young men, citing the three young men who helped Cian as examples of kindness and self‑lessness. The family described Cian as shy, kind, and principled, and expressed profound grief over his loss. They condemned the attacker's boast that he had punched Cian "like Conor McGregor in the UFC" and highlighted the senseless violence that ended a promising life. Boland, 37, was found guilty of murder and received the mandatory life sentence, to commence after the expiry of his earlier assault conviction. The statement underscored the lasting trauma endured by the Gallagher family. Maurice Boland pleaded not guilty.
2024-12-06 · Waterford
After two trials, Maurice Boland, 37, was found guilty of murder for the death of 26‑year‑old Cian Gallagher. The attack occurred on 2 November 2022, with Gallagher dying eight days later. Boland had claimed he had punched Gallagher "like Conor McGregor in the UFC" and later lied to Gardaí about the victim's alleged initial swing. CCTV showed Boland pursuing Gallagher down the street, delivering a "haymaker" that caused Gallagher to fall and hit his head. The prosecution argued that Boland intended to cause serious injury, while the defence maintained no intent to kill. The jury, after five hours and eleven minutes, reached a unanimous verdict of murder. Boland will be sentenced to life imprisonment on 16 December, with the victim's family invited to speak. The case was presided over by Ms Justice Eileen Creedon, who thanked the jury and exempted them from further service for five years. Maurice Boland pleaded not guilty.
2024-12-04 · Waterford
In a murder trial at the Central Criminal Court, the State presented Maurice Boland (37) as a drunken aggressor who pursued and struck Cian Gallagher (26) after Gallagher left a pub in Tallow. Prosecutor Bernard Condon SC argued that Boland's intent was to inflict serious injury, citing Boland's remarks about wanting to "be like Conor McGregor" and his aggressive behaviour earlier that evening. He described the incident as a pursuit rather than a fight, noting that Gallagher was "set upon" and knocked down by a "killer punch" that caused him to hit his head. Defence counsel Brendan Grehan SC contended that Boland was guilty of unlawful killing, not murder, because there was no evidence of intent to kill or cause serious harm. The judge instructed the jury that a verdict of murder requires proof of intent to kill or serious injury, and the jury will deliberate tomorrow. Maurice Boland pleaded not guilty.
2024-11-27 · Waterford
During a murder trial in the Central Criminal Court, jurors were instructed to disregard any personal impressions of Conor McGregor after the accused, Maurice Boland, claimed he had struck a 26‑year‑old man "like the mixed martial arts star" during an altercation. Boland, aged 37, pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter in the death of Cian Gallagher, who died eight days after being punched on November 2‑3, 2022. The State's case, presented by Bernard Condon SC, outlined that Gallagher was walking home from a night of drinking when Boland, who had been drinking earlier that evening, approached and punched him. CCTV footage would show the encounter, including the punch that caused fatal injuries. Condon urged the jury to focus on Boland's intent and the manner of the strike, rather than the comparison to McGregor, and to weigh any such remarks at their discretion.
2024-11-25 · Waterford
A jury of seven men and five women was sworn in by Ms Justice Eileen Creedon for the trial of Maurice Boland, 37, of Tallow, Waterford. Boland, who admits killing but denies murder, pleaded not guilty to murder and guilty to manslaughter of Cian Gallagher, 26, on 10 November 2022. The trial will start Wednesday morning and is expected to last no more than two weeks.
2024-04-22 · Waterford
A Central Criminal Court jury could not reach a verdict in the murder trial of Maurice 'Mossie' Boland, who was accused of "flooring" 26‑year‑old Cian Gallagher in a rural town. The State alleged Boland intended to kill or seriously injure Gallagher, who fell and hit the back of his head after a punch. Both men had been drinking. The prosecution presented CCTV footage of a punch and claimed the victim's hand injuries were caused by the blow. Defence counsel argued that the pathologist's evidence showed the fall, not the punch, caused the fatal injury, and that intent could not be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. After 13 hours of deliberation over four days, the jury declared disagreement and the case was scheduled for retrial on 25 November. The judge exempted the jury from service for five years. The trial remains at the murder‑versus‑manslaughter stage. Mossie' Boland pleaded not guilty.
2024-04-19 · Waterford
The jury of eight men and four women will return to the Central Criminal Court on Monday to continue deliberations in the trial of Maurice 'Mossie' Boland, 36, who denies murdering construction worker Cian Gallagher, 26, in Tallow on 10 November 2022. Boland pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter. The prosecution has alleged that a punch from Boland caused Gallagher to fall and hit the back of his head, leading to a fatal brain bleed eight days later. The defence has argued that the pathologist's evidence shows the fall, not the punch, caused the damage, and that the phrase "a Conor McGregor knockout" was a drunken, off‑hand remark. The jury has spent more than 11 hours over three days debating the case and has requested additional time to reach a verdict. The trial is ongoing and no verdict has yet been delivered.
2024-04-18 · Waterford
In the trial of Maurice 'Mossie' Boland, a 36‑year‑old from Waterford, the jury of eight men and four women was given the option of a majority verdict after deliberating for nearly seven hours. Boland pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter of 26‑year‑old Cian Gallagher, who died on 10 November 2022 after a fall that caused a traumatic brain injury. The prosecution alleged Boland punched Gallagher, who was drinking, and that the blow caused the fatal fall. The defence argued the fall, not the punch, caused the injury, citing the pathologist's testimony. The jury was instructed that a murder verdict requires proof beyond reasonable doubt of intent to kill or cause serious injury; otherwise a manslaughter verdict is appropriate. Boland claimed he was defending himself and that the incident happened quickly. The case remains at the deliberation stage.
2024-04-17 · Waterford
In the trial of Maurice 'Mossie' Boland, who pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter, the jury was asked whether the deceased Cian Gallagher's intoxication could legally excuse his inability to break a fall. The judge ruled it was not a defence. The prosecution argued that a punch from Boland caused Gallagher to fall and hit his head, leading to a traumatic brain injury. The defence contended that the fall itself caused the fatal injury, not the punch. The jury deliberated for 2 hours and 53 minutes, considering whether Boland intended to kill or cause serious injury. The judge explained that if intent was proven, the verdict would be murder; otherwise, manslaughter. The case remains at the jury's verdict stage.
2024-04-16 · Waterford
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, the prosecution described Maurice "Mossie" Boland (36) as having "targeted" and "relentlessly pursued" Cian Gallagher (26), a Dublin construction worker, before striking him with a punch that the accused claimed was a "Conor McGregor knockout." The State presented CCTV footage showing Boland punching Gallagher while the latter was retreating with his hands up, and a pathologist testified that a fall caused a brain bleed, though deep bruising on Gallagher's right temporalis was linked to the punch. Boland pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter. The prosecution argued that Boland's intent to cause serious injury, combined with intoxication, met the legal definition of murder, while the defence contended that the fall, not the punch, caused the fatal injury and that Boland had not targeted Gallagher. The trial was set to continue before Mr Justice Paul McDermott with a jury of eight men and four women.
2024-04-15 · Waterford
Maurice Boland, 36, of Bridgeview Close, Tallow, Co Waterford, pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter in the death of 26‑year‑old Cian Gallagher, a construction worker, who died on 10 November 2022 after a fall on 2 November. Boland told detectives he was defending himself when he struck Gallagher, who had his hands up and was backing away, as shown by CCTV. He claimed he hit Gallagher once, that the man was intoxicated, and that the fall caused a traumatic brain injury leading to death. Assistant State Pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster testified that Gallagher's blood alcohol level was high and that the injuries were consistent with a fall onto the back of the head. The trial is set to continue before Mr Justice Paul McDermott and a jury of eight men and four women.
2024-04-12 · Waterford
In the Central Criminal Court, Maurice 'Mossie' Boland, aged 36, pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to the manslaughter of Cian Gallagher, 26, who died from a brain bleed after an alleged altercation on Barrack Street, Tallow, on 10 November 2022. Boland told arresting gardai that Gallagher had struck him first, that he had "ducked" and then hit Gallagher back, and that Gallagher had made comments about Russians. He described the incident as a "pure accident" and said the fight resembled a "Conor McGregor knockout". Boland's partner, Marian O'Brien, testified that she had left him with their children on 1 November, that he had called her from Lismore saying he was going for drinks, and that she had seen him and Gallagher run out in front of her car. She also said she had taken his mobile phone at the scene to contact his relatives.
2024-04-11 · Waterford
Maurice 'Mossy' Boland, 36, of Tallow, Waterford, pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter in the death of Cian Gallagher, 26, a Dublin construction worker, who died from a brain bleed eight days after being punched and knocked to the ground on 2 November 2022. Witness Patrick Fennessy, 17 at the time, described seeing Boland on his feet and Gallagher on the ground outside Clancy's Bar. Fennessy said Boland claimed Gallagher had struck him first and that he was merely defending himself. Boland allegedly boasted that he had knocked Gallagher out "like Conor McGregor" and that Gallagher should have been in the UFC, expressing pride in the act. Boland also told witnesses he did not want an ambulance for Gallagher, insisting he would be fine. The trial, before Mr Justice Paul McDermott, continues tomorrow with a jury of eight men and four women.
2024-04-10 · Waterford
During a murder trial, a barman testified that on the night of the killing he had conversations with the deceased about Vladimir Putin and the war in Ukraine. The jury heard that the accused, Maurice Boland, 36, had replied to a Garda's caution that he was "onto" the deceased about Russians. Boland pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter of Cian Gallagher, 26, who died from a brain bleed eight days after being punched by Boland in early November 2022. Prosecutor Roisin Lacey SC described how Boland boasted of knocking Gallagher out and compared himself to UFC fighter Conor McGregor. Witnesses, including the pub owner Ann O'Brien and barmaid Maggie O'Leary, confirmed that the deceased had been drinking and that Boland was highly intoxicated when he entered the pub. The trial continues before Mr Justice Paul McDermott and a jury of eight men and four women.
2024-04-09 · Waterford
During the opening of Maurice Boland's trial at the Central Criminal Court, the prosecution presented evidence that Boland, 36, admitted to causing the death of construction worker Cian Gallagher, 26, but denied murder. CCTV footage showed Boland punching Gallagher, who had his hands up and was backing away, leading to a fall and a brain bleed that caused death eight days later. Boland claimed the incident was a "pure accident" and that Gallagher had tried to hit him first. Witnesses, including three young men and Gardaí, testified about Boland's intoxication, his statements comparing himself to UFC fighter Conor McGregor, and his attempts to lift Gallagher after the punch. The prosecution emphasized the focus on Boland's intent that night, distinguishing between murder and manslaughter. The trial is set to continue for two weeks before Mr Justice Paul McDermott and a jury. Maurice Boland pleaded not guilty.
2024-04-08 · Waterford
Maurice Boland, 36, of Tallow, Waterford, has pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to the manslaughter of mechanic Cian Gallagher, who was killed on Barrack Street in Tallow on 10 November 2022. The Central Criminal Court will hear the case tomorrow, with a jury of four women and eight men sworn in by Ms Justice Karen O'Connor. The trial is expected to last two weeks and will rely solely on the evidence presented in court, with no independent research or social media engagement permitted.
2023-10-09 · Waterford
Four convenience‑store workers in County Waterford – Bridget Browne, Bridget Harrington, Alexander Novakovsky and Joanna Yahyaoui – secured orders for redundancy and notice pay from the Workplace Relations Commission after being dismissed ten days before Christmas 2022. The workers had worked part‑time at a Your Stop store on O'Connell Street, Dungarvan, and a Gala‑branded shop on Main Street, Tallow, for a combined service of over 23 years. Their former employer, sole trader Philip Kane, had agreed to take over the stores but claimed he had not legally acquired the businesses and therefore was not liable for redundancy payments. The tribunal found that Kane was the employer from 11 April 2022 and that the ten‑day notice was too short. He was ordered to pay the workers €5,998.50 in pay‑in‑lieu of notice and redundancy sums ranging from €2,000 to €12,000, totalling about €43,000. The decision was published in July 2023.