The New South Wales Supreme Court yesterday completed its historic six-day hearing of evidence in Dublin. The case concerned a 33-year-old Dublin train driver, who broke his neck in a freak swimming accident while holidaying in Australia. He is suing Coff's Harbour City Council for €2.7 million in damages.
Mr Garry Mulligan, Dolphin Park, Donnycarney, was paralysed from the neck down after diving in shallow water at Coff's Creek on January 24th, 1999. He alleges he struck his head against an underwater sandbank in an area where there were no signs warning of such hazards.
Mr Mulligan, and his girlfriend, Ms Jennifer Brady, who saved his life at the time by pulling him from the water, are also suing the State of New South Wales, Coff's Harbour Jetty Foreshore Reserve Trust and the Marine Park Authority. Ms Brady is suing for nervous shock and distress.
Mr Justice Anthony Whealy and members of the NSW Supreme Court created legal history when they flew to Ireland to record the evidence of Mr Mulligan, who was unable to fly to Sydney.