Bail refused after man is struck with bat during violent altercation in Tipperary village

A man charged in connection with a number of violent incidents in Cloughjordan earlier this month was refused bail after gardai expressed concern he would engage in further criminality and interfere with witnesses if released.

Ian Quilligan, aged 31, who has an address at Coachyard in the village is one of two men who have been charged with assault causing harm arising from a number of "fights" on the evening of  January 8, 2026.

Opposing bail, Garda Jamie Heuston said it will be alleged that during one of the incidents - at Main Street, Cloughjordan - another young man was kicked, punched and struck with a bat.

At Nenagh District Court, Judge Marie Keane was told the alleged injured party sustained a laceration to his forehead and that he was treated at University Hospital Limerick following the incident.

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Investigations into the incidents are ongoing and Sergeant Regina McCarthy told the court a file will be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Garda Heuston said it will be alleged there are "ongoing issues" between the parties and that Mr Quilligan is a "violent and volatile individual".

Seeking bail on behalf of his client, barrister Nicholas Hall said he is entitled to the presumption of innocence and that Mr Quilligan is willing to live at an address outside of Cloughjordan and that he would abide by any bail conditions imposed by the court.

Garda Heuston agreed that the defendant denied the allegations when questioned by gardai but reiterated his concerns about him being granted bail. "I don't think there are any conditions that will allay my concerns," he stated.

Having considered the garda objection, Judge Keane said she was satisfied the threshold had been met as set out in Section 2 of the Bail Act and that bail should be refused.

The matter was adjourned to later this month for DPP's directions.

Separately, gardai did not oppose bail in the case of Mr Quilligan's co-accused, subject to his compliance with a number of conditions, including that he stays out of Cloughjordan village and that he obeys a nightly curfew.

Kieran Brereton, aged 28, of Rath, Cloughjordan is also charged with assault causing harm arising from the same incident. His case was adjourned to next month.