Fingal County Council has to arrange Garda protection for workers repairing damage caused regularly in one of its housing estates, a judge heard yesterday.
Mr Eamon Brady, the council's roads overseer, told Judge Michael White in the Circuit Civil Court that things had deteriorated to such an extent in the Dromheath estate in Mulhuddart, Co Dublin, it had become "life-threatening" for council workers.
Gardai maintained a constant presence for the protection of workers. Mr Brady said comprehensive "snag lists" would be prepared and, when gardai were ready to accompany them, workers from various service departments went in and out quickly en masse.
Judge White heard about the need for Garda protection during a negligence hearing in which Mr Paul Cunningham (17), of Dromheath Avenue, Ladyswell, Mulhuddart, claimed up to £30,000 damages from Fingal County Council for alleged negligence in the maintenance of the estate. Mr Cunningham broke his knee in an uncovered water shore while walking home in the dark two years ago.
Judge White said Mr Cunningham had been aware for some days of the damaged shore and he had no doubt it had been damaged by vandalism.
Dismissing the action and awarding costs against the youth's mother, Mrs Joan Cunningham, the judge said he had largely been the author of his own misfortune.