A GARDA'S attempt to recover damages for a back injury is being held up because of the "awkwardness" of his own consultant surgeon in releasing medical evidence, the Circuit Civil Court has been told. Judge Raymond Groarke last month ordered that a letter be sent to Mr Bruce Bough, at Clane General Hospital, Co Kildare, requesting him to make available to the defendants' representatives all Xrays, scans and hospital records.
Mr Cormac Clancy, counsel for the defendants, yesterday told the court there had been no response from Mr Bough. When Judge O'Rourke asked was it simply awkwardness on Mr Bough's part, Mr Clancy said he knew of no other reason.
Mr David Heggarty, counsel for Garda Edward Ryan, The Green, Abbey Farm, Celbridge, who was hurt in a car crash on December 6th, 1994, said that short of a court order he could see no way of compelling Mr Bough to hand over the evidence.
Judge Groarke heard that Garda Ryan wished his claim to be remitted to the High Court because of the seriousness of his injuries. He said he would request his registrar to write to Mr Bough indicating that an order for discovery of the evidence would be made against him unless he dealt with the matter to the court's satisfaction.