‘Idiosyncratic’ man like a character from opera

A High Court judge has described a volleyball coach who sued over injuries suffered in a road accident as an “unforgettably idiosyncratic” litigant reminiscent of the baritone sellers of popular medicine in operas by Italian composer, Gaetano Donizetti.

Abdulwhab Mishtaba was the “most unusual” plaintiff he had come across in 29 years as a judge, said Mr Justice Michael Moriarty. His evidence was “unforgettable”, given in a “lordly and swashbuckling” fashion, while carrying medical instruments.

Because the plaintiff gave unsatisfactory answers to questions and had not mitigated his losses, the judge said he was limiting damages essentially for soft tissue injuries. He awarded €15,000, plus costs on the Circuit Court scale, and refused the defence application for a stay on his orders.