At the sentencing hearing of Ryan Craig today, the Central Criminal Court was told there had been long-standing animosity between him and the victim, Dillon Gilligan, arising from an ongoing “feud” in the Ronanstown area of Dublin.
Following the incident, Craig was overheard on the phone saying: “I’m after smashing Gilligan… Seen him on the road in bits. I don’t give a f**k bro.” He was later arrested by gardaí on a UK-bound ferry at Dublin Port.
The court heard the attack was “opportunistic” rather than “pre-planned”.
Craig, of Shancastle Drive, Clondalkin, had originally been charged with the attempted murder of Mr Gilligan but pleaded guilty to the lesser offences of dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm and endangerment at the Central Criminal Court in July.
Detective Garda Shane Harten gave evidence to Michael Hourigan SC, for the Director of Public Prosecutions, that he had been on patrol with colleagues at around 1.45pm on October 20, 2024, when they received a report that a van had knocked down a man on Cloverhill Road in Clondalkin.
Dillon Gilligan
When Det Gda Harten arrived at the scene, he saw a man lying on the footpath being attended to by emergency services. He confirmed to counsel that he recognised the injured man as 25-year-old Dillon Gilligan.
The detective said that two eyewitnesses provided statements, and gardaí established that Ryan Craig had initially driven past Mr Gilligan in the opposite direction before performing a U-turn, mounting the footpath, and striking him. Mr Gilligan was thrown onto the bonnet of the van before rolling underneath it.
One witness described the van continuing for 20 to 30 feet with Mr Gilligan trapped underneath before it “veered to the right.” The vehicle then “did a full 360,” the court heard, before the victim eventually was left on the ground.
Another witness said she saw a white van with a “young lad” underneath it and also described the van as doing a full 360 degree turn before the vehicle went up on the path and she saw the victim “laid out” on the footpath beside a set of traffic lights. The witness subsequently followed the van and took a picture of the number plate.
Ryan Craig (left) and Dillon Gilligan
News in 90 Seconds – Tuesday, October 28
Det Gda Harten said Craig was subsequently arrested on a ferry at Dublin Port.
Mr Gilligan was treated at the scene before being brought to Tallaght University Hospital where he was treated for a number of injuries including a fractured skull, arm, chest, pelvis and ankle. He also suffered internal bleeding, and his condition was described as critical, the garda confirmed. Mr Gilligan later discharged himself from hospital and indicated to gardaí that he did not wish to provide an impact statement.
The court heard Mr Gilligan had attended a rehabilitation facility following the incident but left prior to the completion of his treatment and his current medical status is unknown.
CCTV showed Craig leaving the vehicle at an address at Palmerstown Woods shortly after the incident. The CCTV also contained audio which recorded Craig on the phone asking to be brought elsewhere and stating: “I’m after smashing Gilligan. Me van’s broke up around the corner. Seen him on the road in bits. I don’t give a fuck bro”.
Following his arrest, Craig was interviewed on five occasions. Det Gda Harten said the defendant was questioned in relation to the background to the incident. He confirmed to counsel that Mr Gilligan and the defendant appear to be “aligned to opposing sides in an ongoing feud in the Ronanstown area” involving numerous serious incidents within the locality.
Craig has four previous convictions, one for possession of drugs and three for public order matters.
Last May, Gilligan (24) was convicted following trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court of carrying a firearm with intent to commit assault causing harm to Scott Purdue on December 17, 2019 at Shancastle Park, Clondalkin. Judge Ronan Munro sentenced Gilligan to six and a half years, with the final 18 months suspended.
Gilligan, of Killinarden Heights, Tallaght, Dublin 24, maintained he was not involved in the incident and denied any wrongdoing. The court heard on that occasion that he was continuing to receive rehabilitative treatment.
Gardaí were also aware of an incident in January 2024 when Craig’s house was shot at and was the subject of an arson attack, Det Gda Harten said.
He agreed with Mr Hourigan that the offence before the court was not “pre-planned” and appeared to have been “opportunistic”, when Craig happened to pass Mr Gilligan. He confirmed it arose “as part of the feud, but appears to have been spontaneous”.
In cross-examination, the detective garda confirmed to Dominic McGinn SC, for Craig, that the defendant said he lost control of the van and had expressed remorse for the injuries caused.
Mr McGinn said Craig has a solid work history in the construction industry, comes from a large supportive family and has been in a long-term relationship for a number of years. He handed in a number of testimonials on his client’s behalf.
He said Craig has been in custody for just over a year and has used his time constructively by engaging in education during that time. Mr McGinn said Craig’s plea was of value and indicates his remorse for what happened. Mr Justice Paul McDermott put the matter back to November 14 for finalisation.
At the Central Criminal Court in July, Craig pleaded guilty to a charge that on October 20, 2024 at Cloverhill Road, Clondalkin, Dublin 22, he drove a vehicle in a manner – including speed – which having regard to all the circumstances of the case – including the condition of the vehicle; the nature, condition and use of the vehicle; the nature, condition and use of such a place in which it was driven; the amount of traffic which then actually was or might reasonably be expected then to be therein – was dangerous to the public, thereby causing serious bodily harm to Dillon Gilligan.
He also admitted intentionally engaging in conduct which created a substantial risk of death or serious injury to Mr Gilligan on the same date and location.