A Co Monaghan taxi-driver has brought a High Court action for damages against a nightclub owner whom he claims beat him up early on Christmas Eve 1990.
Mr Thomas McCartney (34), of Derrylavan, Carrickmacross, is suing nightclub proprietor Mr Peadar Gilsenan, of Ardee Road, Carrickmacross. Mr McCartney alleges he suffered serious personal injuries as a result of being kicked and punched by the defendant outside Mr Gilsenan's nightclub, the Oasis, at Lossets, Carrickmacross.
Mr McCartney claimed that as a result of the alleged assault, he suffered a broken ankle, had two of his teeth knocked out and sustained bruising to his leg and face. He alleged he was kicked in the mouth by the defendant while lying on the ground.
He had been ejected from the nightclub earlier for no apparent reason by Mr Iney Gilsenan, a brother of the defendant, when he was speaking to Mr Raymond Marron. He said Mr Iney Gilsenan came over and was talking to Mr Marron about something that had apparently happened on the dance floor. Mr McCartney said he asked Mr Iney Gilsenan to leave Mr Marron alone but was then himself put out by Mr Iney Gilsenan and some bouncers.
When he tried to speak to his girlfriend, Patricia, now his wife, Mr Peadar Gilsenan came out, struck him and knocked him to the ground. He could not believe what was happening to him.
He spent three days in Louth County Hospital in Dundalk. Mr Sean Ryan SC, for Mr Mc Cartney, said his client was a long-distance truck driver at the time. Mr McCartney was in plaster for two months, out of work for eight months and was entitled to substantial damages. Mr Gilsenan was alleging that his client's injuries were caused by him kicking the disco door. That was an incredible story, he said; how could a man sustain severe facial bruising and lose two teeth if that were so? The hearing continues today.