A round-up of other courts news in brief
Adjournment for talks over child dog-bite
A four-year-old child was bitten by his next-door neighbour’s dog, the Circuit Civil Court heard yesterday.
Barrister Ivan Daly told Mr Justice Matthew Deery that Adam Wall had been playing in his garden on January 25th, 2005, when the attack took place. He was left with scars on his right cheek.
He said Adam, of Woodvale Green, Clonsilla, Dublin 15, was taken by his parents to the children’s hospital, Temple Street.
Mr Daly said €17,500 in damages had been offered to Adam (now eight), by the defendant, Eamon McEvoy. He felt this was low. Judge Deery adjourned for a week to allow further negotiations between the legal teams.
'Unlikely' man had killed himself
A consultant psychologist has revealed she thought it “unlikely” a wheelchair user with a history of self-harm had committed suicide by colliding with a lorry.
Dr Elizabeth Cryan, of Connolly Hospital, said Alan Dempsey’s mood had been “much brighter” when she last saw him.
That he had not told his family he wished to die meant it was “more likely a tragic accident”.
Jason McWeeney (34), of Tamerisk Park, Tallaght, has pleaded not guilty at the Circuit Criminal Court to dangerous driving causing the death of Mr Dempsey on July 10th, 2006.
The trial continues.
Rehousing sought over attacks
A man who claims his wheelchair-bound father has been subjected to violent attacks by anti-social elements, such as having a rock shatter his bedroom window, has brought a High Court action to be rehoused by Dublin City Council.
John Paul Hyland (29), also known as John Paul Barbour, claims he was so terrified he had to leave his rented council home at Hazelcroft Road, Finglas, earlier this year and rent privately.
Mr Hyland, his father’s full-time carer, claims they have been subjected to verbal and physical assaults from people gathering outside the corner-site two-storey home.
Verdict later in explosives case
The Special Criminal Court has reserved judgment after the trial of two men accused of having explosive materials at Dublin flat last year.
Cormac Fitzpatrick (23), of Cathedral Walk, Monaghan, Co Monaghan, and Terry McConnell (28), of Tullymore Gardens, Andersonstown, Belfast, have pleaded not guilty to unlawful possession of explosive material at a flat in The Crescent, Park West Pointe, Clondalkin, Dublin 22, on September 9th, 2008.
Yesterday, the court heard closing submissions by the prosecution and defence.
Mr Justice Paul Butler said the court would give its verdict at a later date.
Ex-garda settles bullying claim
A former garda who claimed she was bullied out of the force by her superiors and colleagues has settled her High Court action for damages.
Christine Anne Kehoe, who was stationed in Co Wexford between 1979 and 1996, had brought the action for alleged reckless infliction of emotional suffering, intimidation and defamation against the Garda Commissioner, Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform and Attorney General.
Mr Justice Seán Ryan was told the matter was settled. No details were disclosed and the judge struck the case out with no order.