The parents of a ten-year-old Limerick boy who was killed when a goalpost fell on him at a summer soccer camp have been awarded €37,000.
Miriam and Patrick Fitzgerald from Old Road, Grange, Kilmallock, Co Limerick, took a civil case at Limerick Circuit Court today against Hollycross Soccer Club and the Football Association of Ireland (FAI), following the death of their only child in August 2004.
Andrew Fitzgerald died two weeks before his 11th birthday when an FAI-approved target net, fixed to a portable goal post was caught in a gust of wind, pulling the goal posts down on top of him.
The 10-year-old had been attending a summer soccer camp at Holycross Soccer Club, Bruff, Co Limerick, when tragedy struck on August 5th 2004.
Mr and Mrs Fitzgerald brought their civil action against Holycross Soccer Club and the FAI under the 1961 Civil Liability Act, which enables persons to be compensated for mental distress and funeral costs arising from the death of a loved one.
The couple were awarded €37,013 today which is the maximum amount awarded under this Act. It's understood a separate High Court action against Holycross Soccer Club and the FAI will be heard in the new year.