Ireland's Olympic and international rower, Emmet O'Brien, lost £30,000 in sports scholarship grants from the Irish Sports Council as a result of a car accident, Dublin Circuit Civil Court has been told. Judge Michael White heard that Mr O'Brien, of Dun Na Riogh Walk, Naas, Co Kildare, injured his chest when his bicycle and a car collided at Arbiston Avenue, Dublin, in October 1998. Ms Maura King, for Mr O'Brien, said her client had been in receipt of a sports scholarship of £15,000 a year for 1998 and 1999. She told Judge White that Mr O'Brien had been obliged to cease training from October 2nd, 1998 and consequently his performance for 1999 deteriorated and as a result he lost the grant for 2000 and 2001. Judge White said he would reserve a decision on the matter pending documentary evidence vouching for the losses claimed by Mr O'Brien.