A young Derry man was left quadriplegic and disabled for life following a road accident in Co Donegal in which his best friend died, the High Court has heard.
Mr Adrian Hardiman SC said yesterday his client, Mr Ian Begley, sustained catastrophic injuries when a car, apparently driven at excessive speed by Mr Terence Milligan, overturned and went through a wall near Fahan, Co Donegal, in the early hours of January 2nd, 1998. He now required total nursing care and was confined to a wheelchair.
Mr Begley (26), of Abbeydale, Waterside, Derry, was a rear-seat passenger in the car and was wearing a seat belt. He was home on holiday from England where he worked as a railway signal engineer, having graduated with an honours degree in electronic engineering in 1997.
He has taken an action for damages against Mr Milligan and his mother, Esther, owner of the car, both with an address at Groarty Road, Derry. Liability is admitted and the case is proceeding as an assessment of damages only.
Mr Hardiman said there was a significant difference between the sides.
In evidence, Mr Begley said he went out to meet a friend on the night of January 1st-2nd, 1998. They met Mr Milligan in a bar. Mr Milligan was friendly with his friend and he himself knew him as an acquaintance.
All three went to another bar and then to a hotel in Buncrana. He remembered coming to a service station after a police checkpoint but had no further recollection, apart from Mr Milligan shouting for help and he himself being dragged from the car.
His next recollection was waking up in hospital and seeing his parents there and a doctor. He was conscious of not being able to move. He was treated in hospitals for some nine months.
He had no movement below the shoulders and could not lift anything. He experienced bad muscular spasms from time to time. His mother and father cared for him.
The case continues today.
