Cullyhanna footballer Aidan Nugent has strenuously denied eight charges of sexual assault.
Cullyhanna footballer Aidan Nugent, who’s on £500 bail, has strenuously denied eight charges of sexual assault made against him by a woman who travelled to Miami in November 2024 to celebrate Armagh winning the All-Ireland final.
The 31-year-old from the Cullyhanna Road in Newtownhamilton appeared at Newry Crown Court on Thursday where denied all eight charges he faces – seven of sexual assault and one of sexual assault involving penetration, all alleged to have been committed against a single complainant.
Following the brief arraignment, an exchange between prosecuting counsel Fiona O’Kane and defence KC Kieran Mallon informed the court that there would be five witnesses to give evidence in the trial.
Freeing Nugent on continuing bail, Judge Paul Ramsey KC scheduled the trial for March 2, but said he would review the case on December 8.
Armagh GAA star Aidan Nugent arrives at Newry Magistrates Court.
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But just 10 days after appearing in court, where his lawyer has previously stated one charge has the potential to see the Armagh All-Ireland champion be handed a sentence of life imprisonment if convicted, Nugent will lead his club team out in the semi-final of the senior county championship.
His team St Patrick’s Cullyhanna have advanced to the last four of the prestigious competition where they will face 47-times winners Crossmaglen next Saturday night in the Athletic Grounds Armagh.
After the allegations were made against Nugent 12 months ago he has not been involved in the Armagh players panel and played no part in the county getting to the quarter final of the All-Ireland championship in 2025 where they were defeated by Kerry.
However he has continued to play for his club team and has been integral to them making it to the semi-finals next week.
In fact Nugent has been the top points scorer in the whole championship having scored a total of 38 points in just four matches, including three goals.
Reports of Nugent’s performances have been glowing and in one game he scored 13 of the team’s total of 18 points.
On August 15th Nugent scored six crucial points in a one point win over Madden Raparees and two weeks later he bagged two goals and six points in a personal 12 point haul against Pearse Óg of Armagh.
Former All-Ireland winner Aidan Nugent
Just seven days later Nugent almost single-handedly dragged his team into the quarter finals – fighting back from seven points down Cullyhanna won by three points with Nugent scoring 13 points, including a goal against Mullaghbawn.
And a fortnight later Nugent scored seven more points in the quarter final victory over St Peter’s, Lurgan.
Next Saturday he’ll come face-to-face with many of his former Armagh GAA county colleagues when Cullyhanna battle Crossmaglen for a place in the final.
Appearing at a previous hearing Aidan Nugent confirmed he was aware of the charges against him, all of them alleged to have been committed “in the United States of America,” on 17 November last year.
It is understood to be the Crown case that the offences were committed in America, when the Armagh GAA team travelled to Miami in Florida to celebrate the team’s All-Ireland win – their first All-Ireland title in 22 years after they clinched victory over Galway at Croke Park in July.
During a brief preliminary enquiry at Armagh Mags Court in July a prosecuting lawyer submitted there is a prima facie case against Nugent.
Nugent’s defence solicitor Patrick Higgins conceded the point but declared that Nugent “strenuously denies the allegations.”
The court clerk told Nugent he had the right to comment on the charges or to call evidence on his own behalf, but he declined.
Applying for legal aid to be extended in allow a senior barrister to be instructed, Mr Higgins told the judge that was on the basis that one of the charges carried a potential sentence of life imprisonment.
He also contended that “all of the people involved in this are in the public eye” and that if Nugent is convicted, there is not only a risk to his reputation “but also a risk to his liberty and livelihood.”
Nugent’s defence solicitor also emphasised that during formal police interviews the defendant claimed that “any sexual activity was consensual”.
Mr Higgins has also revealed that when Nugent was charged with the offences, the All-Ireland winner replied: “I deny the allegations. It was consensual.”
Last December the Sunday World revealed how serious allegations had been made about Aidan Nugent following the Armagh trip to Miami.
Around 30 players, the management team — including hero manager Kieran McGeeney—family members and other senior figures from the Armagh County Board spent a week in Miami, Florida last November.
The trip, which reportedly cost around £3,000 per head, was funded by the GAA in Croke Park and by fundraising carried out by the clubs within the county.
The group stayed in the luxury five-star Eden Roc Miami Beach resort, where rooms start at around £400 per night.
Following the party’s return, a complaint was made to the PSNI.
After initially refusing to comment on the allegations, Armagh GAA broke their silence at their annual convention last December.
Outgoing Armagh County Board chair Paul McArdle closed the convention with a short speech which included a comment about the allegations and police investigation.
In a statement released to this paper by the GAA at the time, Mr McArdle said: “We fully understand our clubs and members are concerned and aware of recent reports of an alleged incident in Miami.
“I want to be absolutely clear on this matter, contrary to want you may have read or heard, Armagh GAA has and will continue to fully support and cooperate with everyone to ensure procedures are followed.
“I want to reassure our clubs and members that we have worked tirelessly and diligently with Ulster GAA, National GAA and the PSNI over recent weeks.
“Yesterday, the GAA issued a statement that had the full support of Armagh GAA. For those who are not aware of it, it reads: ‘We are aware of a reported incident and are responding to serious allegations. We can confirm Armagh GAA is continuing to respond to this matter in collaboration with Ulster GAA, the GAA at Central Level and the PSNI.’”