Women awarded nearly €36,000 after National Library incident

A banner fell off a flagpole at the National Library in Dublin and struck a passing saleswoman, the Circuit Civil Court was told Tuesday

Tracey Curran (49), who was awarded almost €36,000 damages for personal injuries, said she has had pain in her right hand since the accident.

She told her barrister Conor Kearney that in October 2011 she had been walking on Kildare Street to her workplace at the National Museum when she was struck by the banner which hit her on her right shoulder, breast and hand.

Circuit Court President Mr Justice Raymond Groarke heard that Ms Curran, of Limewood Court, Raheny, Dublin, suffered ligament damage to her shoulder and bruising to her body.

She had been prescribed painkillers and anti-inflammatory tablets and had needed physiotherapy. She said she still suffers pain in her hand while driving or working and her daily life had been disturbed.

Ms Curran said she needs to wear a support bandage on her hand when carrying out chores, and continues to take anti-inflammatory tablets.

“Unless there’s a miracle cure, I don’t know what’s going to happen. I just go on with things as they come,” she told Mr Kearney.

She sued the National Library of Ireland and Kingram Communications Group Ltd (in liquidation), with an address at Genoa House, Drummartin Road, Dublin, for negligence and breach of duty.

Mr Kearney told the court that liability had been admitted in the case and today’s hearing was an assessment of damages only.

Judge Groarke said he accepted Ms Curran’s ongoing pain in her hand interfered with her daily activities. Awarding her €35,910 damages against both defendants jointly and severally, he said a full recovery was not anticipated.