Harrelson assault case may not proceed

An action for damages by a man who claims he was assaulted by US actor Woody Harrelson in a Dublin city centre nightclub may not now go ahead.

Eamonn Cullen claims the actor assaulted him with a snooker cue at Renards nightclub, trading as Engelson Ltd, in Sept 2001. As a result, he claims, he suffered a split lip that needed 12 stitches and damage to a tooth.

Mr Cullen, with an address in Artane, Dublin, is claiming damages, including exemplary damages, for personal injury, assault and battery, loss, damage and expense as a result of the alleged incident.

Mr Cullen’s proceedings against Engelson Ltd, with registered offices at South Frederick St, Dublin, were initiated in 2004 and Mr Harrelson was later joined as a co-defendant.

They have denied Mr Cullen’s claims.

The action has been specially fixed for hearing by the High Court on Apr 24.

The matter was listed before Mr Justice Paul Gilligan at the High Court yesterday when the actor’s legal team brought a motion seeking orders to have the case against Mr Harrelson dismissed on grounds of inordinate delay and want of prosecution.

It was also claimed in the motion that Mr Cullen failed to prosecute his claim within a reasonable time and that Mr Harrelson is entitled to an order under the European Convention on Human Rights dismissing the claim against him. Mr Cullen’s lawyers were opposed to the orders being granted.

Following talks between all sides, counsel for Mr Harrelson, Bill Shipsey, asked the court to adjourn the matter. Counsel said the motion could be mentioned when the full hearing of the claim comes before the High Court next month.

Counsel added that the action “may not trouble the court in the event of certain matters occurring”.