A Waterford schoolboy has lost his High Court claim for personal injuries compensation against his school following an incident in which he received a cut to his head.
Richard Cuddy, (12), Grange Heights, Waterford claimed through his father that his school principal, Brother Martin Curran of St Stephen's National School, Waterford was negligent in failing to provide adequate supervision and protection from a support post on a shed in the schoolyard.
While playing a game of 'tig', the youngster tripped over another student, hitting his head off the post of the shed, leaving him with a small scar.
Mr Justice McKechnie in dismissing the case pointed out that "the game of 'tig' had been played in school yards for longer than anybody could remember".
He stated that no case had been proven by the plaintiff and that apart from 'tig' other games could not be played in the school yard.
The Judge added that supervision by two teachers was adequate and "it would be unreasonable to expect the school to put padding on the metal columns of the shed".
Mr Justice McKechnie dismissed the claim and allowed the defendant costs stating "children are children and they are entitled to play chasing if they want".