A taxi driver who issued a €60,000 personal injury damages claim against musician Bono in the Circuit Civil Court has died.
Philip Bolger claimed the U2 singer had driven several times into the back of his taxi which had been parked on Eustace Street near The Clarence Hotel in Dublin's Temple Bar area.
Mr Bolger’s death was not in any way connected with the incident.
He had sued Bono under his real name, Paul Hewson, and alleged his 2004 Maserati had struck his car three times at short intervals from behind.
Bono’s legal team delivered a defence to Mr Bolger’s claim in which, while it is admitted a collision occurred at 10pm on October 11th, 2013, denies that the taxi driver could have suffered the injuries he alleged.
Hewson, of Temple Hill, Vico Road, Killiney, Co Dublin, states in his defence that the impact was minor and happened at a low velocity. He claims he is not liable for any injuries. The singer also denies the details of "each and every particular" of the events alleged by Mr Bolger.
Bolger, of Oakleigh Green, Trim Road, Longwood, Co Meath, died on November 15th last. He claimed in public documents that he had suffered immediate pain in his neck, shoulder and back following the collisions.
He also alleged, in his claim that has been listed for hearing on January 25th next, that following “the third collision” he had got out of his car and approached Bono’s car asking “What are you doing?” to which Bono had replied: “Hello.”
Bouncers
Mr Bolger also alleged in his Personal Injury Civil Bill that, after composing himself, he had driven his taxi to the front entrance of the hotel, which is owned by Bono and The Edge, to resolve the incident. He alleges bouncers refused to allow him in.
The taxi driver claimed he attended the A&E of Navan Hospital in Co Meath and had needed to go to his GP three times in the two months following the accident, complaining of pain in his lower back, neck and arm.
His quality of life had been impacted as, he alleges, he had difficulty “lifting, carrying, bending, kneeling, squatting, sitting, climbing stairs and walking.”
Bolger included a claim for alleged financial strain and hardship as his injuries had prevented him from working normal hours and he had to reduce activities, including kayaking, clay pigeon shooting and hill walking.
As yet no application has been made to court to discontinue Mr Bolger’s proceedings or withdraw the case from January’s trials list. Monica Bolger, Mr Bolger’s widow, said on Tuesday that her late husband had initiated the proceedings against Bono.