High Court dismisses claim against tobacco firms

A 59-YEAR-OLD man who began smoking at the age of 12 will not be able to sue tobacco companies after a High Court judge yesterday dismissed his claim against three leading firms on the grounds of inordinate and inexcusable delay in bringing his case.

John Thomas McCormack, aged 59, from Cloonaghmore, Abbeylara, Co Longford, gave up smoking in 2004.

Tobacco companies PJ Carroll and Co Ltd; Player and Wills (Ireland) Ltd, Gallagher (Dublin) Ltd had sought an order dismissing Mr McCormack’s claim against them for want of prosecution on the grounds of inordinate and inexcusable delay on his part in the start of his proceedings.