The jury has begun their deliberations in the trial of former Clare All-Ireland winning hurler Niall Gilligan, who is on trial accused of assaulting a 12-year-old boy.
Mr Gilligan, aged 48, and of Rossroe, Kilmurry, Sixmilebridge, denies the assault causing harm with a stick of the then 12-year-old at the Jamaica Inn hostel, Sixmilebridge on 5 October 2023.
At Ennis Circuit Court this morning, Judge Francis Comerford continued his charge to the jury.
Judge Comerford told the jury that the mental and physical elements of the assault must be considered in this case.
The judge also said another element of the case was whether there was a lawful excuse or not to carry out the act in order to protect a person's property or to defend oneself.
Before the jury began their deliberations, Judge Comerford said that they will have to decide whether or not there was "a lawful excuse" to causing harm and if the extent of the force used was reasonable.
Judge Comerford said if the jury are satisfied beyond all reasonable doubt the encounter took place inside the building and not outside then the jury must decide if the force used was necessary or not.
He said it was a "core issue" for the jury to decide if the assault took place inside or outside the two-storey property.
He added that this would be fundamental to a conviction.
The judge said there is sympathy for both sides in this case, however the jury must deliberate on the facts heard in court.
The jury will continue its deliberations tomorrow.
