A busker died in hospital three days after being thrown out of a Cork city pub where he had gone to play his mouth organ. As he struggled with staff of the Long Valley Bar in Wentworth Street, Gerard Carroll (35) was "knocked to the floor and held very tightly", Dr John O'Mahony SC told the High Court in Cork.
Mr Carroll went into the bar on September 22nd, 1987, and was asked by the owners and staff to leave. He refused, an argument developed and he was ejected. "There was a little scuffle between himself and staff and it became somewhat physical," Dr O'Mahony said. Gardai investigated but no proceedings were taken.
His widow, Ms Kathleen Carroll, of Churchfield, Cork, was the plaintiff in an action against the Long Valley Bar and its management. She told the court that despite her husband's problems - he was barred from the home and had served jail sentences - he was still "deeply loved". He loved his children, now aged 26, 20 and 13. "The day he died, he bought Jamie, who was two at the time, a tricycle," Mrs Carroll said, "then he went off playing his mouth organ to try to make a few bob." Mr Justice Kinlen approved the settlement of £27,000 and awarded costs.