Officer settles injuries action with navy

A NAVAL officer who claimed he fell down the stairs of a ship because the handrails were wet has settled his civil action outside the High Court in Cork.

The case, being brought against the Irish Navy by Derek O’Connell, 30, of 16 Roches Terrace, Midleton, Co Cork, was due to resume before Ms Justice Maureen Clark yesterday morning but both sides sought time to negotiate a settlement.

Earlier in the case, Mr O’Connell testified he was on his way to start work at 9am on October 30, 2003 when he was going down steep stairs inside the LE Aoife which was berthed at Haulbowline naval base.