Courts / Dublin / Report
Luke Gilligan gets 8.5 years for feud attack that saw boy (14) stabbed with 'zombie' knife
Summary
Luke Gilligan was jailed for eight and a half years for participating in a feud-related attack that resulted in a 14-year-old boy being stabbed in the chest with a 'Rambo First Blood II zombie' knife. The attack was part of a tit-for-tat feud that has not yet abated. The victim suffered a collapsed lung but has since made a full recovery, though he still suffers from ongoing psychological problems. Gilligan pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary, and the court heard that the feud involved shootings, IUDs on doorsteps, and attempts at arson. The judge considered the serious nature of the weapons used and the impact on the victim, but also took into account Gilligan's age and his own history of being attacked as part of the feud. She imposed a nine-year sentence, with the final six months suspended on conditions.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Luke Gilligan gets 8.5 years for feud attack that saw boy (14) stabbed with 'zombie' knife. Charges or matters: aggravated burglary. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- February 4, 2025 Incident
- February 15, 2025 Hearing Or Sentence
- February 5 Adjournment
- February 14 Adjournment
- March 2025 Adjournment
- February 24 Incident
- February 25 Incident
- March 6 Adjournment
- 2026-05-19 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: aggravated burglary (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: She imposed a nine-year prison sentence but suspended the final six months on condition that Gilligan keep the peace and be of good behaviour and engage with the Probation Service during his time in custody and for six months after his release.; On February 14, he was remanded in custody for breach of his bail and has been in custody solely in respect of this matter since March 2025.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Greencourt Crescent
- Cloverhill Prison
- Wheatfield Prison
- Limerick
- Limerick Prison
Topics
Related court reports
- Man withdraws appeal after telling court it 'wouldn't make a difference'
- Teen with 30 convictions who stamped on assault victim's head is jailed
- Six years for on-bail offender who fractured homeless man's skull in 'cowardly' attack
- On-bail teen offender fractured homeless man's skull in unprovoked assault
- Detective tells court of 'deeply harrowing' experience of being strangled at halting site
- Violent 'monster' jailed for repeatedly kicking former partner in the head
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request