THE Motor Insurers' Bureau of Ireland, which compensates victims of hit and run accidents, has been ordered to pay more than £20,000 damages to a passenger in a taxi which braked suddenly to avoid a collision.
Mr Declan Doyle, counsel for Ms Margaret Shanahan, (23), of Lorcan Avenue, Dublin, who received whiplash injuries when thrown forward after the taxi braked, told the court there had been no rear seat safety belt to restrain his client.
The court was told the taxi driver had braked suddenly to avoid another vehicle.
The Circuit Court President Mr Justice Frank Spain, held the unknown driver to have been negligent and awarded Ms Shanahan £20,520 damages and costs against the MIBI.
He granted Mr Gerard Danaher, counsel for the MIBI a stay to facilitate an appeal on the basis that £15,520 was paid out immediately to Ms Shanahan.
The taxi driver, Mr Gerard McMahon, of St Attracta Road, Cabra, Dublin, who was also a defendant in the case, was held not to have been negligent.