A man who was punched in the head while a serving garda as he released a man from a Garda station was awarded more than €300,000 in damages by the High Court yesterday.

Ms Justice Mary Irvine said James Lynn, who was stationed at Castlebar station but has since been discharged from the Garda due to ill-health, had lost the career he fought so hard to get into.

As a result, Mr Lynn had lost his status in society and his injuries affected him every day, she said. The case was brought under the Garda Compensation Act by Mr Lynn who had been attached to Castlebar station at the time of the assault on June 23rd, 2001.

The court heard Mr Lynn released a prisoner from holding cells who then went to the day room. Mr Lynn later escorted him to the foyer.

As … Read More »

31-year-old Dublin man feared he would contract a blood-borne infectious disease after sitting on a syringe needle in the city’s North Star Hotel, a judge was told in court yesterday.

Judge Alison Lindsay awarded Derek Ledden €10,000 damages and costs against the hotel owner, BC McGettigan Limited, which has its registered office at Waterloo Lane, Ballsbridge, Dublin.

Mr Ledden told the judge in the Circuit Civil Court that he had to abstain from having sex with his girlfriend until he received a HIV and hepatitis all-clear six months after the incident and it had strained their relationship.

Barrister John Moher said Mr Ledden, of Upper Oriel Street, Dublin, had suffered a traumatic experience six years ago when his brother, Stephen, had been murdered in a mistaken identity shooting at their home.

The judge said a needle had been found on the floor and there … Read More »

A schoolgirl who was injured by a discarded syringe needle in the bedclothes of her Dublin hotel has been awarded €17,500 in the Circuit Civil Court.

The court heard as Amy Kane (then 12) was settling into bed at Castleknock Travel Lodge, Dublin, on June 6th, 2009, she was pricked on the elbow by the needle in the bed linen. Amy, Dundonald, Belfast, was taken to the hotel reception, where first aid was applied to a bleeding wound on her arm.

Circuit Court president Mr Justice Matthew Deery was told that after returning home the next day, Amy attended her GP in Northern Ireland. Tests were later carried out at the Ulster Hospital in Dundonald to see if she had contracted a blood-borne disease.

Mr Justice Deery heard she had to wait three months for test results, which were negative for hepatitis and … Read More »