Cage-fighter gave false information in claim

A man who took a personal injury action claiming he suffered a debilitating back injury in a car crash in Aug 2009 now faces up to 10 years in prison after DVDs emerged of him taking part in cage-fighting.

Raymond Smith, 29, is the first person to be prosecuted under the Civil Liability and Courts Act 2004 for providing false information during a personal injury claim.

Smith, from Poppintree, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to giving false information to a solicitor on Sep 27, 2010.

He faces a maximum prison term of 10 years and a fine of up to €100,000.

Smith was awarded €7,500 in the Circuit Civil Court, but the defendants appealed the decision.

Judge Ring said she wanted time to consider the evidence and remanded him on continuing bail until December.