Courts / Dublin / Report

Man 'smashed' nephew of John Gilligan with van amid West Dublin feud, court hears

Summary

Ryan Craig, a 25-year-old man from Clondalkin, appeared at the Central Criminal Court where he pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm and endangerment. The court heard that on October 20, 2024, Craig struck Dillon Gilligan with his van on Cloverhill Road, dragging him for up to 30 feet. The victim suffered critical injuries, including a fractured skull, arm, chest, pelvis, and ankle, as well as internal bleeding. Evidence indicated the attack was opportunistic rather than pre-planned, arising from a long-standing feud in the Ronanstown area. Craig was arrested at Dublin Port and recorded on CCTV stating he had "smashed" the victim. Although originally charged with attempted murder, Craig admitted to the lesser offences in July. The court noted Craig has four previous convictions and that the victim, who was previously convicted of carrying a firearm, has since left a rehabilitation facility. Mr Justice Paul McDermott adjourned the matter to November 14 for finalisation. Separately, the report references a prior sentencing where Judge Ronan Munro sentenced John Gilligan to six and a half years, with the final 18 months suspended, for offences committed in 2019.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Man 'smashed' nephew of John Gilligan with van amid West Dublin feud, court hears. Charges or matters: the lesser offences of dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm and endangerment at the Central Criminal Court in July. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• October 20, 2024 Incident
• December 2019 Incident
• December 17, 2019 Incident
• January 2024 Incident
• November 14 Incident
• 2025-10-28 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Road Traffic Stage Sentence Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report