A YOUNG apprentice plasterer who suffered brain damage and other serious injuries after falling 63 feet from a scaffold has secured €3 million in settlement of his High Court action.
Alan Flanagan, Monaglengee, Meelick, Co Clare, now aged 28, was 16 when the accident occurred in 1996. He brought his action through his aunt Mary Kiely, Mayorstone Drive, Limerick.
The settlement is against PJ Hegarty and Sons, Carrolls Quay, Cork, who were alleged to be the main contractors involved in building works at Dock Road, Limerick, where the accident occurred in December 1996.
John Punch SC, for Ms Kiely, told Mr Justice Quirke he was recommending the settlement offer and the family was satisfied with it. Mr Flanagan's parents are dead.
While approving the settlement, the judge said he felt the system was regrettably deficient in dealing with such matters.
It was very difficult to understand how a person such as this young man could be adequately catered for in the future and he did not know how Mr Flanagan's aunt and family could manage.
The judge said it was helpful the money would be paid into court for the benefit of Mr Flanagan.
It was alleged Mr Flanagan was mounting a scaffolding on a building under construction when he fell a considerable distance on to a hoarding sustaining serious personal injuries.