A schoolboy who was stabbed with a flick knife in a classroom attack has been awarded €22,500 damages in the Circuit Civil Court in Dublin.
Karl Kelly (15), of Kildonan Avenue, Finglas West, Dublin, told the Circuit Court president, Mr Justice Esmond Smyth, that he was unable to walk for four weeks after having been knifed in his left buttock.
Through his mother, Mrs Bernadette Kelly, he sued the trustees and board of management of St Canice's Boys' National School, Ballygall Road West, Finglas, for €38,000 damages for alleged negligence.
Mr Micheal Ó Scanaill, counsel for Karl, told the court that on May 10th, 2002, Karl was in class when a teacher had to leave the room for a short time.
During the teacher's absence, there had been an incident with another boy who brandished a flick knife and stabbed Karl in the buttock.
Karl said that as well as having been unable to walk for a month, he experienced pain and had a limp for some time afterwards.
Judge Smyth, approving a without-prejudice settlement offer of €22,500 on behalf of the school, said that during the teacher's absence there had been a bit of "slagging" with another boy, with whom Karl did not really get on with.
There had been a couple of punches thrown and the other boy had taken out a flick knife which he opened.
Karl had attempted to push the other boy away and in kicking at the knife, he was stabbed in the buttock.
St Canice's had denied liability and had entered a full defence to Karl's claim.
Judge Smyth said Karl, a highly intelligent and articulate boy who undoubtedly had a very good contribution to make to society in the years ahead, had undoubtedly suffered psychologically as well as physically.