An elderly man who suffered brain damage when he was thrown from his bicycle after being struck by a speeding car is to receive €825,329 under the terms of a settlement approved by the High Court yesterday.
Neither the owner of the car nor the vehicle have ever been found.
Mr Justice Quirke was told that Mr William Eustace (70), who sued through his wife, Eileen, of Cuffe Street, Dublin, was tossed five feet into the air when he was thrown from his bicycle on December 27th, 1997, at James's Street, Dublin.
The action was against Mr Anton Ivanchiu, with an address at Bow Lane West, Dublin, whom counsel said was believed to be the owner of the car involved and the Motor Insurers' Bureau of Ireland.
Mr Richard Keane SC, for Mr Eustace, said the driver of the car had not been traced and had left the scene after striking Mr Eustace.
Mr Ivanchiu had no insurance and the settlement was against the Motor Insurers' Bureau of Ireland.
Mr Eustace has no recollection of what had happened to him. A man whom counsel described as a "good samaritan" had described seeing a car shortly before the collision.
It had darkened windows and the engine was being revved and the wheels made to spin. Shortly afterwards he heard a loud bang and the sound of metal being dragged along the road. He saw Mr Eustace five feet in the air.
The car took off and the witness gave chase and got some of the registration numbers. It emerged that a trace was put on a vehicle owned by Mr Ivanchiu. Mr Keane said the rational view was that this was the vehicle involved in the accident and it was uninsured.
Mr Keane said his client suffered horrific injuries, including a fracture of the skull and a severe brain injury. He was unable to work, had hearing loss, suffered from panic, confusion and memory loss. He was in hospital for four months. Mr Eustace was receiving extraordinary care from his wife and family.
Mr Justice Quirke approved the settlement and said an application should be made to have Mr Eustace made a ward of court.