Courts / Offaly / Report

'I'll kill you all, man, woman or child': court hears of feuding families

Date
2021-02-17

Stage
Sentence

Court
UK. The Central Criminal Court

Primary locality
Tullamore

County
Offaly

Summary

In a Central Criminal Court hearing, Simon Quilligan, aged 38, was found not guilty of attempting to murder John McDonagh and of discharging a firearm that posed a substantial risk of death or serious harm. He was, however, found guilty of possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life, making threats to Melissa Cowman, Sandra O'Brien and Victoria Doherty, and damaging a caravan window. Quilligan had fled to the UK after the 2018 incident at a halting site in Tullamore, where he fired a weapon at the McDonagh family and threatened others. He was extradited back to Ireland, arrested in Athlone, and has been in custody since December 2019. The court noted his 38 prior convictions and the feud between the Quilligan and McDonagh families, which the defendant claims is now over. The judge remanded him in custody until March 9 for sentencing.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: 'I'll kill you all, man, woman or child': court hears of feuding families. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Acquitted

When:

May 5, 2018 Hearing Or Sentence
May 18, 2018 Incident
December 11, 2019 Incident
March 9 Adjournment
2021-02-17 Publication

Why: The witness also agreed that the people present at the site knew Quilligan because they are related to him through marriage or blood. CNI source report

Case subjects

Simon Quilligan

Defendant

Finding: Acquitted

Outcome: Acquitted; Mr Justice MacGrath remanded the defendant in custody to March 9, when he will be sentenced.; Mr Justice MacGrath remanded the defendant in custody to March 9, when he will be sentenced.