A man who was kicked in the back by a cow when carrying out artificial insemination was awarded £83,480 and costs in his action against the owner of the animal in the High Court yesterday.
Mr John McDermott (52), an artificial inseminator technician, of Maperath, Kells, Co Meath, brought his action against Mr Val Gargan, a farmer, of Mullinavalley, Cormmen, Moynalty, Co Meath. Mr McDermott was employed by the Dublin District Milk Board at the time.
Mr Justice Flood, in a reserved judgment, said that on March 6th, 1992, Mrs McDermott was on Mr Gargan's premises carrying out artificial insemination when he was kicked by one of Mr Gargan's cows in the small of the back. He held that Mr Gargan was 85 per cent liable for the personal injuries Mr McDermott sustained.