The Kerry footballer and former teacher Paul Galvin and the board of management of St Brendan’s College Killarney have paid €8,000 euro to a pupil who sued them jointly after being allegedly struck by a blackboard duster in a classroom at the well known school three years ago.
Nathan Adams , of Knockeendubh, Killarney (then aged 15), suing through his father Gerry Adams had lodged a claim for personal injuries in the Circuit Civil Court and the matter was settled on a sum being offered and paid into court.
The matter was listed for “payment out” at the County Registrar’s list of Civil Motions in Tralee today as he had now turned 18..
“Nathan Adams ( a minor) suing by his father and next friend Gerry Adams — V — Paul Galvin And the Board of Management of St Brendan’s College Killarney,” was a motion for payment out of monies as the plaintiff , the child, had now reached 18, the court was told today.
Paul Galvin, was a teacher with an address at St Brendan’s College according to the civil bill and the second named defendant, was the owner occupier .
The claim was for damages and personal injury, loss, damage and inconvenience and expenses caused by negligence , and “breach of duty including statutory duty of the defendants.”
On January 25th 2010 Nathan Adams was lawfully present in the class room “when he was struck by a blackboard duster”, it claimed.
The teenager was “shocked and distressed” and taken to a GP. He sustained a laceration to his scalp and was bleeding . He was left with a scar to his head, and he suffered pain, upset and convenience. He also suffered distress, psychological upset and his social, domestic and recreational life was affected, according to the claim.
At the Circuit Civil Court in May 2011, Judge Terence O’Sullivan approved the offer and a settlement of €8,000 general damages together with costs was ordered.
Today’s proceedings were to approve the paying out of the monies now that the plaintiff had turned 18 . A birth certificate was handed into court.
Co. Registrar Padraig Burke studied the birth cert and said the order was “pay out” the provisions of the claim to Mr Adams c/o Terence Casey solicitor and he struck out the motion.
Mr Galvin had joined St Brendan’s College Killarney as an Irish and Geography teacher in 2007.
He was conducting an Irish class at the time of the alleged incident. . He no longer teaches at the school.