In an important decision for local authorities and sports clubs, Judge Elizabeth Dunne in the Circuit Civil Court yesterday held they did not have to fence off playing fields to such an extent that a ball could not leave the playing boundaries of the pitch.
Dismissing a damages claim by a Dublin woman who was hit on the ear by a sliotar travelling at between 60 and 70 m.p.h., Judge Dunne said that to require them to erect goal-togoal perimeter netting around every playing field was to ask for "a step too far" in terms of protecting the public.
