A man whose injuries were "horrific" when he was run over by the rear wheel of a bus was awarded €405,958 in damages in the High Court yesterday.
Mr Luke Boyne (38), single, a diesel mechanic of Ebenezer Terrace, South Circular Road, Dublin, was struck by the bus after he alighted from it on the way home from the pub.
Evidence was given that the driver of the Dublin Bus vehicle considered Mr Boyne was drunk when boarding at Thomas Street on January 20th, 1999. Mr Boyne said he had had six pints in two pubs on the night.
The President of the High Court, Mr Justice Finnegan, apportioned liability for the accident 75 per cent to the defendants, Dublin Bus and its driver, and 25 per cent to Mr Boyne.
The court heard that Mr Boyne was in hospital for almost six months and underwent 21 medical procedures, all but one of them under anaesthetic.
His right leg was virtually useless and may have to be amputated at some stage. If so, there would be some difficulties in fitting a satisfactory prosthesis due to extensive scarring, the judge said.
Were it not for the accident, the judge accepted it was likely that Mr Boyne would have continued to work until he was 65.