A RETIRED garda who claimed he suffered back injuries after his patrol car was rammed three times by a stolen vehicle, was awarded £20,000 compensation at the High Court yesterday.
Mr Myles McKiernan (59), now living in Newcastle, Co Galway, told the court that while chasing two stolen cars in Loughrea, Co Galway, on July 27th, 1992, his Garda car was rammed three times, was immobilised and had to be towed away.
Following the accident his back pain gradually became worse. He agreed doctors discovered that he had degenerative changes to his spine before the accident. He told Mr Justice Kinlen he had been involved in a road accident in 1983 and was awarded £30,000 and that, in September, 1993 he had been in another road accident for which he received £62,500.
Mr Justice Kinlen said this was an extremely difficult case, complicated by the fact that Mr McKiernan had not been an impressive witness. It was very difficult to find out what had been exactly caused to Mr McKiernan's back by the ramming of the patrol car and for how long the problem persisted.
Mr Justice Kinlen said he would award Mr McKiernan £20,000 compensation, together with expenses and legal costs.