Galvin and school pay €8k to student allegedly hit by blackboard duster

Kerry footballer and former teacher Paul Galvin and the board of management at St Brendan’s College, Killarney, have paid €8,000 to a pupil who sued them jointly after being allegedly struck by a blackboard duster in a classroom three years ago.

Nathan Adams, of Knockeendubh, Killarney, Co Kerry, 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 yesterday 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 reached 18, the court heard.

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 Jan 25, 2010, Nathan Adams was in the classroom “when he was struck by a blackboard duster”, it was alleged. 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 and upset.

Nathan also suffered distress and 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. Yesterday’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.

Mr Galvin had joined St Brendan’s College, Killarney, as an Irish and geography teacher in 2007. He no longer teaches there.