A man who suffered massive brain damage in an accident leaving him with a mental age of seven was awarded £600,000 yesterday.
The settlement was approved yesterday by Mr Justice Moriarty in the High Court in Cork.
Mr Frank Gilmartin (33) of Ballyleary, Cobh, Cork was a rear seat passenger in the uninsured car which was driven by his cousin, Mr William Donnachie, and owned by his uncle, Mr Niall Donnachie, of Stacks Terrace, Cobh. The award was made against the Donnachies and the Motor Insurance Bureau of Ireland.
The car was in collision with an articulated lorry at Ballynoe on October 24th, 1991 and the court heard that the driver of the car was wholly responsible for the accident.
Proceedings against the lorry driver, Mr Pat Russell, from Firies, Killarney and the owners, BCB Freight Movers Ltd of Gortacles, Tralee, were struck out and costs were awarded to them.
Mr Justice Moriarty ordered the payment of £17,000 to Mr Gilmartin's parents towards the expenses they incurred in caring for their son.