FIVE Irish soccer fans who were injured in the riot which broke out at the Ireland versus England soccer match two years ago have accepted out-of-court settlements.
Mr Pat Hanratty SC, representing all the plaintiffs, told Judge Raymond Groarke in the Circuit Civil Court yesterday that a settlement had been reached with all the defendants after three hours of talks. He said the actions could be struck out with an order for costs only against the Football Association of Ireland. Mr Rory Brady SC consented to the undisclosed settlements on behalf of the FAI.
Mr Donal O'Donnell-SC appeared for the State. Mr Kevin Feeney SC represented the English Football Association.
The actions were taken by Mr Colin Culliton (31), of Glenora, Fassaroe, Bray, Co Wicklow; Garda Joseph Leonard (33), of The Lawn, Woodbrook, The Glen, Bray; Mr Brian Doody (31), of Orpen Green, Blackrock, Co Dublin; Mr Tristan McCabe, of Lara, Killiney Avenue, Co Dublin, and Mr Stephen O'Reilly (28), of Allmalt Hall, Stoney Road, Dundrum, Dublin.
They sued the Football Association of Ireland, the Garda Siochana and the English Football Association for up to £30,000 damages each for personal injuries.
The fans claimed they had bought 10-year tickets for £2,500, guaranteeing them a seat for every home match and other privileges, as well as a free ticket for the Ireland-England match. The plaintiffs claimed they had been assured seats would be allocated to them in the East Stand.
They claimed that owing to the negligence of, and breach of contract by the FAI, they were placed in the Upper West Stand at Lansdowne Road among English soccer supporters.
All of them had alleged that when violence broke out following the scoring of a goal by Wolverhampton's David Kelly which put Ireland in the lead, they were forced to run a gauntlet of kicks and punches when trying to escape from a hooligan element among the English supporters.
Mr Culliton claimed he was repeatedly hit on the side of the face and head and punched in the chest. He was terrified and feared for his life. At one stage he fell to his knees and was repeatedly kicked by a number of English supporters.
Following the incident he had pain in his lower and upper back, legs and arms and his tongue and lips had been cut. He had difficulty sleeping and had experienced headaches and nightmares.
Mr Leonard claimed similar injuries and dental injuries. Mr Doody claimed his anxieties had been increased by the fact that he had a heart condition and had previously undergone an operation to insert a valve in his heart. He had been gravely concerned about his heart condition during the attack.
In addition to his physical injuries, Mr McCabe claimed his confidence had been gravely affected. He had attended counselling.
Mr O'Reilly claimed he had blacked out following a punch in the nose which lacerated and bled heavily. His gums had also bled. Afterwards he felt humiliated and degraded and he too had undergone counselling.
The legal bill facing the FAI included all reserved costs leading up to yesterday's court appearances and are estimated to amount to over £100,000. However, the actions, had they gone on, were expected to have lasted for anything up to a month.
Following announcement of the settlements, Mr Mark Fitzgibbon, of Lavelle Coleman, solicitors for all of the plaintiffs, said he could not comment on the outcome. He said the settlement included a confidentiality agreement between all the parties.
The five soccer fans had spent most of their time in an anti-room off the court while legal discussions were taking place. After the settlement they returned to the room, several of them cheering and clapping their hands.
The jurisdiction of the Circuit Court stretches from £5,000 at the bottom end of the scale to £30,000 at the top.