A MAN who broke his ankle after climbing a makeshift gate blocking a pathway to a river where he had been fishing has been awarded €60,000 by the High Court.
Christopher Brien had not been able to return to his fishing hobby for nearly a year after the accident as he tried to leave a path near the Dargle River, Bray, Co Wicklow, the court heard.
Mr Brien, a landscape gardener from Greenpark Road, Bray, Co Wicklow, had sued SIAC Construction Ltd, Clondalkin, Dublin, which are in examinership.
He claimed SIAC were negligent in allowing the public right of way to be blocked by a makeshift wooden gate. There was also a failure to provide a gate which was capable of being opened and closed, it was claimed.
The court was told that judgment had already been given against SIAC and it was before the court for assessment of damages only.
Mr Justice Kevin Cross said Mr Brien had impressed him as an honest witness.