A garda patrol car driver who sustained injuries after his vehicle was rammed by a stolen car was awarded £175,000 in damages at the High Court yesterday.
Mr Justice Budd made the award to former garda Mr Cornelius Kiely, of Garycloyne, Blarney, Co Cork, who was knocked unconscious and suffered knee, neck and chest injuries. He retired seven years early because of the incident.
He was the driver of a Garda patrol car at Kilmore Road, Knocknaheeny, Cork, on May 8th, 1995, when he observed a stolen car being driven at considerable speed.
He recalled the stolen vehicle coming straight for the patrol car and the next thing he remembered was waking up in Cork University Hospital.
The driver of the stolen car was arrested, convicted and imprisoned for four years.