A Vietnam veteran told the Circuit Civil Court yesterday he had his right shoulder bionically rebuilt after it was shot away when fighting the Viet Cong in 1969.
Scratch golfer Maj Ronald Brooks told Judge Diarmuid Sheridan that after recuperation he was hitting the ball even further. However, following a whiplash injury in a car crash over three years ago, he has been unable to play golf.
Maj Brooks, living at Rialto Cottages, Dublin, and better known internationally as Motown soul musician Ron Terre, said his car was rammed as he pulled out of a parking bay in Dolphin's Barn, Dublin. Medical reports revealed he suffered a whiplash injury to his shoulders, neck and back.
Judge Sheridan awarded Maj Brooks £17,246 but held him two thirds responsible for the accident and reduced the award to £5,748. "Drivers pulling out of a parked position on to a busy road have to exercise considerable care," the judge said.
He accepted Maj Brooks had his indicator on and that the defendant, Mr Glen Costello, of Knight Wood, Santry, Dublin, ought to have been on his guard to the proposed manoeuvre by Maj Brooks.