McCreevy warns against claims as award reversed

THE Government has vowed to vigorously defend all personal injury actions after claiming victory in a Supreme Court ruling which reversed an award to an employee exposed to asbestos in Leinster House.

The ruling throws into doubt payments made to four other workers, whose cases are also under appeal to the Supreme Court. It could also affect almost 500 other claims pending against the State. Estimates last year predicted those claims could cost the taxpayer over €50m.

Finance Minister Charlie McCreevy said yesterday’s Supreme Court decision represented a major step in reversing the “compensation culture”, which had become “endemic” in recent years.