MOTORISTS are at risk from manhole covers which rise up from the streets during torrential rainstorms, a court was told yesterday.
Mr Stephen Rose of Ard na Laoi, Montenotte, Cork, told Cork District Court that as he drove home last October during a very heavy rainstorm, a man hole cover rose up in front of whim and, propelled by gushing water, struck the car he was driving.
Repairs to the car his father's cost £1,168. Yesterday, Mr James Rose sought a decree for that amount from Cork Corporation.
An engineer, Mr Philip O'Doherty, said the manhole covers were a particular risk on the north side of the city because the sewers were not big enough to take the flow of water.
Mr Michael Heffernaa, the corporation's engineer, said the sewers date back to the late 1800s, and he admitted that torrential showers caused a problem. He knew of a similar accident in the St Luke's area.
Judge Uinsin Mac Gruairc awarded the full amount of damages to Mr Rose, with costs and expenses.