Three convicts, injured whilst restrained and without seatbelts in a prisoner transport vehicle, have each received €7,500 in settlement by the Circuit Civil Court. They were en route from Mountjoy Prison to Phoenix Park, Dublin’s Central Criminal Courts of Justice when their prisoner transport vehicle was collided with a food supply van operated by Lynas Food Services of Lusk, Co Dublin.
Barrister David Burke, working with John M Quinn Solicitors on behalf of one inmate, named Anthony Ward, aged 33, told the court that they all sustained minor injuries. Prior to going to the Mater hospital, they had received treatment from the prison’s medical team. John Scott, a barrister working with John O’Leary Solicitors, represented Mark Egan, aged 44, and Rachel McGovern who worked with KOD Lyons solicitors defended Dean Heapes, aged 39.
Every prisoner was restrained inside cells measuring three feet by two feet in the prisoner transport vehicle that could accommodate a dozen inmates at once with prison staff. Ben Clarke, representing Lynas foods, informed the court that Lynas was accepting blame for the accident which happened on September 20th, 2018 and was providing compensation to The Prison Service and the Ministry of Justice pertaining to the three claims amounting up to €60,000.
Mr. Clarke, collaborating with DWF Solicitors, remarked that the court was asked to evaluate compensation for the accident which was minor in nature and in his defense, no prisoner could have suffered the injuries claimed. The convicts testified in court that during the time of collision with the delivery vehicle near the prison, they were restrained inside tight cells in the vehicle which was shoved to the side.
David Semple, a forensic engineer, stated to Judge O’Brien that although the collision was low impact, it could potentially have caused harm to individuals enclosed in compact cells particularly when restrained and unsecured. Meanwhile, Sean Walsh, another forensic engineer working on behalf of Lynas Food Services, pointed out that six prisoners were transferred to the courts and restraining cuffs are customary practice deeming the impact would not have been forceful enough to cause harm.
While agreeing that injuries were minor and recovery swift, Judge O’Brien declared that each prisoner will receive €7,500 in compensation. She also decreed that every plaintiff is entitled to District Court costs along with certificates for the attorneys and forensic engineers involved in each case.