A Dublin man who suffered injuries when the car being driven by his brother crashed while trying to avoid gardaí has been awarded €8,000 damages by the High Court.
The president of the High Court, Mr Justice Nicholas Kearns, made the award to Richard Joyce (above), who injured his chest, neck and back after a car driven by his brother Thomas Joyce, in which he was the front-seat passenger, crashed into a ditch in October 2010.
Insurers for Thomas Joyce, Cooldriona Court, Swords, had admitted liability in the action but argued that Richard had contributed to his own injuries by getting into a car when, they claimed, he knew it was being driven by someone who had drink taken.
In his ruling, Mr Justice Kearns said he was satisfied that Richard Joyce (38), Oakwood Avenue, Swords, was entitled to €12,000 damages but he would reduce that to €8,000 as he was satisfied he had contributed to his injuries by taking a lift after meeting his brother.
No evidence was given that the two brothers were drinking together beforehand but, had such evidence been given, he would have thrown out the case completely, the judge added.