The parents of a 10-year-old Co Limerick boy who died when a goalpost fell on him at a summer soccer camp have been awarded €37,000.
Miriam and Patrick Fitzgerald, Old Road, Grange, Kilmallock, took a civil case at Limerick Circuit Court yesterday against Holycross 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 goalpost was caught in a gust of wind, pulling the goalposts down on top of him. The boy had been attending a summer soccer camp at Holycross Soccer Club, Bruff, Co Limerick.
Mr and Ms Fitzgerald brought their civil action under the 1961 Civil Liability Act, which enables people to be compensated for mental distress and funeral costs arising from the death of a loved one. They were awarded €37,013. which is the maximum amount awarded under this Act.
It is understood a separate High Court action against Holycross Soccer Club and the FAI will be heard in the new year.
Mr and Ms Fitzgerald declined to comment after yesterday's proceedings. However, earlier this year Ms Fitzgerald issued an appeal to the Government to introduce a law ensuring that all goalposts be anchored to the ground in future.
After her son's inquest, where a verdict of accidental death was returned, Ms Fitzgerald said she would not wish the nightmare that she and her husband were living through on any other parent. The couple cannot have any more children, she added.
"Andrew was our life, our only child, the only child we can have, and nothing or no one can or would ever take his place."