A YOUNG man has claimed before the High Court he feared for his life after being set upon and assaulted by security staff “for no reason” at a nightclub.
The security staff mistakenly believed Alan Danagher was involved in a fight, Ms Justice Mary Irvine was told.
Mr Danagher (22), a student, from The Derries, Erill, Co Laois claims he was assaulted and removed by security staff from Mr O’s nightclub in Templemore, Co Tipperary shortly after he was knocked to the ground by two other individuals, whom he did not know, who were involved in a fracas.
Mr Danagher has sued Glantine Inns Limited, Main Street, Templemore, Co Tipperary, owners and operators of the nightclub, over personal injuries allegedly suffered as a result of alleged assault and battery by their agents at the premises on December 26th, 2005.
He claims the defendants were negligent and in breach of their duty of care towards him.
The defendants deny the claims.
Opening the case yesterday, John Peart SC, with Stephen Lanigan-O’Keeffe SC, for Mr Danagher, said his client was grabbed by the neck when security staff mistakenly believed he was involved in a fight.
Mr Danagher was thrown on the ground, began to have a fit and lost consciousness before being thrown out on the street.
Nothing was done to assist his client or to get him medical attention, counsel said.
He was eventually taken by ambulance to hospital in Nenagh but was released the following morning. Counsel said that he suffered injuries to his neck and back, had problems sleeping and required counselling and medical treatment.
In evidence, Mr Danagher said he was grabbed around the neck, an experience which was a “moment of darkness” because he could not breathe. “I thought it was going to be the end of me,” he said.
At the time of the incident he was a student at Waterford Institute of Technology but was unable to do exams in January 2006, he said. He said he became depressed after the incident and was unable to complete the year. He said he attempted to repeat the year but that did not work out and he eventually dropped out. He said he later returned to college but in Cork.
Before the incident, he played rugby, GAA and boxing but had been unable to return to playing any of those because of pains in his back, he said.
The case continues before Ms Justice Irvine.