Two people severely injured when a heavy artillery Army gun struck their car were awarded more than £400,000 in damages yesterday.
They told the High Court in Limerick the huge weapon came loose from the carriage of an Army contingent.
Ms Katherine Sheehan (27), of Doneraile, Cork, and her boyfriend, Mr David O'Callaghan (30), from Mallow, sued the State and the Minister for Defence. Liability for the accident was admitted.
The court was told Ms Sheehan had her leg smashed in three places and suffered crushed bones and head and face injuries. She was unable to receive painkillers for a few days after the accident because of her head injuries.
She was awarded £287,000 plus costs with an order for an immediate payment of £180,000, with a stay on the remainder pending an appeal.
Mr O'Callaghan told the court he had to give up two jobs, one as a prison warden, and was turned down for others because of continuing pain in his back.
Mr Justice McCracken awarded Mr O'Callaghan £132,000 in damages plus costs, with an immediate payment of £100,000 and a stay on the remainder pending an appeal.