A man who alleges he suffered serious physical and psychological injuries as a result of an explosion which occurred as explosives were being burned off near the Ailwee Caves in Co Clare in 1992 has taken a High Court action for damages.
In the action by Mr John McCann it is claimed the State had caused safety leaflets to be removed from boxes of certain explosives.
The court heard this was done apparently out of concern to keep such details from those who might illegally use those explosives and to contain the threat from subversives at that time.
Mr McCann, a mining company employee, of Mountainview, Drumintee, Newry, Co Down, is suing the State, his employers, Marine Blast Ltd, and a number of other defendants.
Three separate legal actions have been consolidated into one for the purpose of the hearing before Mr Justice O'Donovan which is expected to take at least a fortnight.
Mr McCann is suing Marine Blast; one of its directors, Mr Patrick Murphy, of Kinsealy, Malahide, Co Dublin; and the latter's brother, Mr Brendan Murphy of Drumgolet, Castleshane, Clontibret, Co Monaghan (who is not a director).
Other defendants include Irish Industrial Explosives, Ireland, the Attorney General and Mr Nigel Barnes, a shot firer employed by Marine Blast, of Cahercalle, Kilrush Road, Ennis.
Mr McCann, who was employed by Marine Blast at the time of the alleged explosion on January 21st 1992, claims he suffered injuries during an operation to destroy, by burning, explosives which were manufactured by Irish Industrial Explosives.
He is seeking damages for personal injury, loss, damage and expenses caused by alleged negligence by the defendants, their servants, or agents.
He also alleges the State, while informed of a concern that safety leaflets be included in boxes of explosives, had caused the removal of such safety information.