A YOUNG man who suffered catastrophic injuries in a road traffic incident has settled his High Court action for a sum believed to be €850,000.
Michael Hennessy Cullen (23) of Garycullen, Saltmill, Co Wexford, had brought the action against Wexford County Council over an incident that occurred in August 2005.
The council had denied liability and alleged the young man failed to have any proper regard for his own safety and denied there were loose chippings.
Yesterday, after talks between the sides, Richard McDonnell SC, for Mr Hennessy Cullen, told Mr Justice John Quirke the case had been settled. The settlement is without admission of liability.
It was stated that, on the evening of August 17th, 2005, Mr Hennessy Cullen, then a student, was driving a car on the road at Ballyowen, Wellingtonbridge, Co Wexford.
It was alleged, as a result of loose chippings on the road due to works being carried out by the council, the rear wheel of his car lost grip and left the road.
Mr Hennessy Cullen was thrown from his car and hospitalised for several months. He is a permanent wheelchair user and there was no expectation he would recover any of his lost neurological function.
It was alleged the council failed to signpost either adequately or at all the sharp bend at Ballyowen and had allocated an excessive speed limit to the road.