Two men have been jailed for life for the murder of Kieran Quilligan, whose skeletal remains were found in a gravel bag in an area of scrubland, four months after he was last seen alive.
33-year-old Niall Long, formerly of St Michael’s Close, Mahon, Cork and 28-year-old Luke Taylor, formerly of Cherry Lawn, Blackrock, Cork were found guilty following a three week trial.
Kieran Quilligan was last seen walking towards the steps of St Finbarr’s Cathedral in Cork city with Luke Taylor on the first of September 2023.
The prosecution said he was lured there, before being savagely beaten and thrown into the boot of a car driven by Niall Long in retaliation for a robbery on Mr Long earlier that day.
In an emotional victim impact statement, the 47-year-old’s father Stephen said his loss has been unbearable and a nightmare.
His mother Catherine said her son had a heart of gold, while his partner Collette O’Driscoll said Kieran was her best friend and she feels lonely and lost without him.
The court heard both Niall Long and Luke Taylor intend to appeal their convictions.
