Former Clare All-Star hurler to face Circuit Court for alleged ‘stick’ assault on 12-year-old boy [Video]

FORMER ALL-STAR and Clare All-Ireland winning hurler Niall Gilligan was today sent forward for trial concerning an alleged “stick assault” on a 12-year-old boy.

At Ennis District Court today, Judge Alec Gabbett returned Mr Gilligan (47) for trial to the next sittings of Ennis Circuit Court.

Judge Gabbett sent Mr Gilligan of Rosroe, Sixmilebridge, for trial after the Book of Evidence was served in the case. Mr Gilligan denies the assault causing harm charge of the boy.

Garda Emmet Roche gave sworn evidence that he had served the Book of Evidence on Mr Gilligan’s solicitor, Daragh Hassett before court on Wednesday.

The DPP had initially directed that the case be heard in the district court but Judge Gabbett declined district court jurisdiction in the case after hearing an outline of the State case against Mr Gilligan in July.

Today, Sgt John Burke told the court that the DPP consents to …