A former Roscommon inter-county GAA footballer, who was told he could not play football again after suffering a broken neck and other injuries in a traffic collision, has been awarded €278,000 damages at the High Court.
In awarding the damages, Mr Justice Paul Gilligan said Martin Costello, a painter and decorator of Knocroe, Castlerea, was "extraordinarily lucky" to have survived the accident of September, 2002.
Mr Costello, who played football with the Roscommon county team and with St Kevin's GAA club, Castlerea, had sued Frank Harrison, Westbourne Road, Terenure, Dublin, arising from a collision at or near Lisliddy crossroads, Castlerea, on September 21st, 2002.
It was claimed Mr Harrison failed to obey a stop sign at the crossroads and drove from a minor road across the path of Mr Costello's vehicle at an excessive speed, causing a collision with Mr Costello's vehicle. The claims had been denied.
The court heard Mr Costello was knocked unconscious by the force of the impact and had to be cut out of his vehicle by the fire brigade. He was taken by ambulance to Roscommon County Hospital, where his head was stitched and he was detained for a number of days. He was later transferred to the National Spinal Injuries Unit at the Mater hospital, Dublin, and also underwent treatment at the National Rehabilitation Hospital and National Rehabilitation Centre.
As a result of the accident, Mr Costello said he sustained a broken neck and some neurological injury affecting his left arm. He said he could not work for some time and his work as a painter and decorator was affected in relation to his ability to climb ladders and lift objects.
He said he experienced frustration and depression, especially when he was told he could not play football again.