The widow and two youngest children of the late Det Garda Jerry McCabe, murdered in Adare, Co Limerick, in 1996 during a post office van robbery, received £491,500 in compensation in the High Court yesterday. Det Garda Ben O'Sullivan, who suffered severe injuries from bullet wounds at the time, received £401,272.
Making the awards, Mr Justice Budd described the attack on the two gardai who were escorting a post office van as one of horrendous savagery, with tragic consequences for the two families.
Both the widow of Det Garda McCabe and one of her children were still severely traumatised by the events of June 7th, 1996, while the surviving garda was still carrying bullet shrapnel in his head and body, as well as suffering pain from injuries to his hands and shoulder, the court was told.
After a two-day hearing, Mr Justice Budd awarded Mrs Ann McCabe £386,000 in compensation, with a sum of £58,000 going to her son, Ross (19), and £47,500 to her daughter, Stacey (20).
The figure for Mrs McCabe, who worked part-time as a hairdresser before her husband's death, included agreed financial dependency loss of £267,000.
The court heard that the late Det Garda McCabe was shot many times and was fatally injured in the attack.
His colleague, Det Garda O'Sullivan, was described by the judge as a remarkable man who, despite being seriously injured and severely traumatised, had made an unbelievable recovery. But for the exceedingly healthy lifestyle the detective had led, he might not otherwise have come through his ordeal.
Mr Justice Budd said he suspected the detective's psyche must have been affected by the knowledge that one of those who attacked him had turned up for training as a young man for a tug-o-war team he (Det Garda O'Sullivan) was training.
Det Garda O'Sullivan is the holder of a Scott Medal for bravery, earned when he disarmed a man threatening both Det McCabe and others. He underwent multiple medical operations for his injuries and is now looking forward with the help of his wife and daughter to the breeding and schooling of horses in his retirement, which takes effect next year. He will continue to suffer pain and may require medical operations in the future, the Judge observed.
The court heard he had been left with bullet scars on his cheek, skull, scalp, left and right hands and right shoulder.
In November 1997 he went back to work, although not in the same position as previously.
In the award of £401,272, Mr Justice Budd said he was awarding £190,000 for pain and suffering to date and a sum of £100,000 for pain and suffering in the future.