Case Study: September 2016
Donal Walsh, a retired Army private, has successfully settled a High Court case for €1.55 million after sustaining a brain injury at the Roscrea Soapbox Race. The incident occurred on September 11, 2016, when Mr. Walsh, who was serving as a steward, was struck by a soap box kart following the race. The kart, which had been released from a flatbed trailer, lost a wheel and crashed into Mr. Walsh, causing him to fall and suffer a severe head injury.
Represented by Cian O’Carroll, Mr. Walsh brought the case against the event’s organizers, Shane Lee, Eoghan Fogarty, and Country Sports Ireland. Our legal team argued that there was a lack of adequate safety training and precautionary measures, and that the karts were not properly maintained, thereby endangering both spectators and officials.
The defence denied the claims, suggesting contributory negligence on Mr. Walsh’s part. However, under our representation, a favourable settlement was reached. Mr. Justice Michael Hanna approved the settlement, praising it as an excellent outcome and extending his well wishes to Mr. Walsh and his family.