A SCHOOLBOY was seriously injured when struck by a car as he ran across a road to jump a wall in an obstacle game, the High Court in Cork was told yesterday. He was awarded £32,500 in a settlement approved by Mr Justice Budd.
David O'Sullivan, of Station Road, Millstreet, Co Cork, was aged almost seven at the time of the accident on May 28th, 1993.
He and his mother were visiting friends in Macroom Road about a mile from Millstreet.
Mr Michael Gleeson, barrister, said the boy became involved in a dangerous game of jumping over obstacles.
All of the jumps were in the safety of the garden with the exception of an unusual curved wall.
The plaintiff took a full run at it from across the road and as he ran out he was struck by a car owned by Thomas and driven by Annette Kiely, of Tubber, Rathmore, the defendants in the case.
Mr Gleeson said there was no evidence of excessive speed. While he believed the true value of the case was £75,000, the legal team considered if it went to trial it could very well end up that the plaintiff was 50 per cent or more liable and there was also a danger of losing the case.