A 52-year-old shopkeeper who claimed a back injury hindered him in lifting heavy objects was photographed carrying a cement mixer, Dublin Circuit Civil Court was told.
Secretly taken photographs of Mr Patrick Grimes carrying the cement mixer from his shop and unloading full gas cylinders from his lorry at a Co Dublin pub were shown to Judge Liam Devally. A private detective had spied on Mr Grimes after he lodged a £30,000 personal injuries claim. Mr Grimes, who is also a volunteer fireman, of Seacrest, Skerries, said he had injured his neck and back when his car had been rear-ended in October 1997.
Mr Ronan Dolan, counsel for the other motorist's insurance company, said liability had been conceded and the court was being asked to assess damages.
Judge Devally awarded Mr Grimes £9,750 damages, to include £4,500 in car repairs and medical and other expenses. The court heard that he would have to pay his own and defence costs. Expenses already incurred by Mr Grimes will reduce his net compensation to about £4,000.