The Gaelic Athletic Association has until October to pay compensation to a player who suffered brain damage as a result of an assault during a football match in Co Galway more than two years ago.
At Galway Circuit Court yesterday, an appeal by the man who committed the assault against a nine-month prison sentence was adjourned to the October sittings by Judge Harvey Kenny after it was heard that neurosurgical reports of the victim's condition, requested by the GAA last year, were only furnished to its compensation committee two days ago.
John Joe Greaney (23), from New Line, Caherlistrane, Headford, Co Galway, appealed to the Circuit Court last year against a nine-month sentence handed down at Headford District Court for an assault on Mr Michael Dunleavy near the end of a junior football tie between neighbouring north Galway clubs, Caherlistrane and Kilkerrin/Clonberne on June 6th, 1998.
Greaney, who was 21 at the time, hit Mr Dunleavy, a married man with a young family, on the side of the head, knocking him unconscious. He had to be rushed to hospital and was put on a ventilator in intensive care for 10 days. Greaney was suspended from play for one year.
The Circuit Court was told Mr Dunleavy suffered brain damage and still had problems with his balance. His wife said he had become a different person. He had been a welder, earning £500 a week, but was no longer able to hold down a job and would be on disability for the rest of his life.
Judge Kenny adjourned the appeal for one year to allow the GAA pay compensation.
At the resumption of the case last Tuesday, the Circuit Court heard that Greaney had paid £17,000 to Mr Dunleavy, but the GAA had not made any move to adequately compensate him.
Judge Kenny then ordered GAA officials to come before him yesterday to explain why no compensation had been paid.
Yesterday, Judge Kenny said if the GAA had been looking after its players as it claimed to have been doing, it would do something to ease this man's loss. Mr Paul McGettigan, counsel for the GAA, said brokers Coyle Hamilton, who administered the compensation fund, had asked for a neuro-psychological report in April 1999. They did not receive the report until two days ago.
Ms Geraldine Glynn, counsel for Mr Dunleavy, said her client had received £2,800 from a separate GAA injury scheme for loss of earnings. However, she said, GAA representatives had told the court last year that another insurance scheme, which had a cap of £25,000, was in operation for such occurrences. The official had said he saw no reason why Mr Dunleavy could not be compensated from this. However, no money had been paid to him.
She said the GAA had requested various medical and neurosurgical reports on different occasions and these had been supplied.
A State solicitor, Mr William Kennedy, said the injured man was entitled to claim against the Criminal Injuries Board. It would pay all his expenses, including his future loss of earnings. It was agreed by Judge Kenny that this should not prejudice any compensation paid by the GAA.