A man who broke his hand when a sofa collapsed after he sat on it was awarded £6,000 damages in the Cork Circuit Court yesterday. Mr Craig Wittington was staying in Dyke Parade when the accident occurred on August 20th, 1995.
The award was made against his landlord, Mr Edward McCarthy, of Western Road. Mrs McCarthy said they first heard of the problem when she went to collect the rent. On inquiring about Mr Whittington's hand, which was in a sling, she found the strapping on the sofa was broken. Her husband had put a sheet of plywood underneath the cushions to make it firm. Judge Patrick Moran said the landlord had a duty of care to his tenant and Mrs McCarthy had noticed there was something wrong with the furniture, which was totally unsuitable.