A GARDA has been awarded £43,806 for injuries received from five incidents while on duty. Garda James Casey (36), married with four children, was stationed at Gurranabraher Garda station, Cork city.
Garda Casey told the High Court that before the incidents he had been very fit and was nicknamed "Rambo".
Mr Justice Budd said the first incident occurred on September 13th, 1989, when Garda Casey's patrol car was hit head on by a stolen car. He suffered pain in his neck and left knee.
The second incident occurred on February 10th, 1991, when Garda Casey was in a patrol car chasing a stolen car. When it stopped in a lane way he went to the driver and the car took off. Garda Casey was dragged along.
Later the same day, the patrol car was rammed at high speed by the same stolen car. Garda Casey suffered injuries to his knee and back. As a result, he now suffered back problems. This was the seventh occasion when Garda Casey had been in patrol cars rammed by thieves.
In May, 1991, shortly after he had returned to duty following the previous incident, his patrol car was rammed on the side and pushed into a tree. He again suffered injuries.
On December 7th, 1991, he was assaulted by burglars, kicked, punched, was stabbed in his left hand by glass, and later glass was removed from his eye. He said his vision had been reduced since then.