A retired farmer who claimed he was struck by a "rampaging" bull at an agricultural show and as a result tripped over concrete blocks on the premises, sustaining a fractured wrist, is to receive £15,000 and costs from the show organisers in settlement of his High Court action for damages.
However, the president of the High Court, Mr Justice Morris, yesterday found the bull was not "rampaging" and dismissed a claim by the Midland and Western Livestock Society, organisers of the show, that the bull's owner should make some contribution towards the settlement.
Mr Justice Morris said he did not accept that there was any contact between the bull and Mr Michael Regan (75), of Ballinerley, Calry, Co Sligo, during an incident at a show at Carrick-on-Shannon, Co Leitrim, on April 12th, 1994.
It was his view that Mr Regan, along with other people, had stepped back when they saw the bull coming and Mr Regan had tripped. The judge made his comments after hearing evidence from Mr Regan and Mr Michael Reynolds, a farmer, of Bohey, Drumlish, Co Longford, and owner of the Aberdeen Angus bull. He was deciding on an application by the Society that Mr Reynolds should make some contribution, or indemnify the society, in relation to the settlement.
The case had earlier come before the High Court when the society settled with Mr Regan for £15,000 and costs. Mr Regan did not proceed with any case against Mr Reynolds. The court heard that the bull was about 13 months old at the time of the incident and had won a competition at the show earlier the same day.
Mr Regan told the court he had 35 years experience with bulls and said his bull was very quiet and had not touched anybody when he was leading him past Mr Regan.
Mr Justice Morris noted that, in his statement of claim, Mr Regan had alleged that he was "seriously injured when an uncontrolled bull, owned by Mr Reynolds, started/shied and then leaped in the direction of the plaintiff, thus causing the plaintiff to jump backwards to avoid collision with the rampaging bull, whereupon the plaintiff tripped and fell over bricks and blocks thrown around a wall." Nothing said in court could justify such extravagant claims, the judge said.