A former garda who suffers from an erectile dysfunction as a result of post traumatic stress disorder has sought compensation from the State for the purchase of Viagra tablets. The State has claimed the cost could reach £20,000.
The 45-year-old man, who lives in Dublin, was ordered to retire from the force by the Garda Commissioner last year as a result of back problems and PTSD following an incident at Croke Park on May 1st, 1994.
He was attacked and beaten by eight men while on duty outside Croke Park where the National Football League final was being played.
He has brought a claim for compensation under the Garda Compensation Acts arising out of serious back problems and PTSD.
The man, married for 21 years, told the court that as a result of the incident he underwent a personality change and had been the last person to discover it.
He had been recommended a medical treatment, using a syringe, for his loss of libido.
In 90 per cent of cases the treatment helped to cure the problem, but it had not cured him. He later bought four Viagra tablets, which were less stressful to use.
Mr Padraig McCartan SC, for the former garda, said Mr Justice Budd was going to require the Wisdom of Solomon to decide the question of his client's use of Viagra.
He had purchased Viagra at £20 per tablet, but counsel understood the price could come down to £12 on prescription.
The former garda said he had not purchased the tablets from a doctor, but it was his intention to use the tablet in future. In reply to Mr Justice Budd, he said Viagra had worked for him and he believed he might need two to three tablets per week.
Mr Donagh McDonagh, for the State, said the cost, at £20 per tablet, could amount to £1,920 annually and could continue indefinitely. If it were for a period of 10 years it would mean the taxpayer would be facing a bill for over £19,000.
Mr McDonagh said the man had gone out and taken the initiative and got this new tablet. It had been stated that the side-effects were not known.
Mr Justice Budd said it was well known that the tablet had been produced for another medical condition and, as a side-effect, was found to have an effect on libido.
Mr McDonagh said medical reports in his possession had not referred to this problem for the former garda. While it was now a factor in the claim it did not seem to have been addressed until quite late in the matter.
Mr McCartan said the side-effects on the man's libido had first been mentioned in 1996.
Mr Justice Budd said he would give judgment today.