'Riverdance' drummer sues over tinnitus

A FORMER drummer with the hit show Riverdance has brought a High Court action alleging that his professional music career has been destroyed because of hearing loss and tinnitus sustained due to being exposed to excessive noise while working with the show.

Paul Moran (54), Maywood Avenue, Raheny, Co Dublin, has sued Abhann Productions Limited, trading as Riverdance The Show, a limited liability company with registered offices at Little Mary Street, Dublin.

Mr Moran worked with the show from 1997 until he was let go in 2000. He previously worked with well-known artists including Clannad, Davy Spillane, Dolores Keane, Christy Moore and Donal Lunny.

Liability has been conceded and the case is proceeding before Mr Justice Éamon de Valera to assess damages only.

Outlining the case yesterday, John O’Donnell SC, for Mr Moran, said his client became aware on May 16th, 1999, that his deafness and tinnitus were noise-induced. In October 1999, he was in possession of a report from an expert warning Abhann in unambiguous terms that the noise levels for the drummer would have to be reduced.

Mr O’Donnell said Mr Moran had tinnitus, a buzzing sound in his ears which prevented him from sleeping. He had hearing loss particularly in crowded or noisy places and had continuing distress and anxiety. His professional life was greatly affected, he added. The hearing loss affected his ability to earn a living and his loss of earnings was continuing.

He was unable to undertake recordings of any albums and his professional career had ended.

This article appears in the print edition of the Irish Times