Drugs squad member gets €1.1m for serious injuries

A young member of the Garda Drug Squad, who was repeatedly stabbed and seriously injured while affecting an arrest, was yesterday awarded what is believed to be a record €1.1m damages in the High Court.

Mr Justice Bernard Barton, in handing down his reserved judgment, told Paul O’Neill, counsel for the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, that Garda Daryl Mullen had suffered serious physical injuries.

The judge said that the 38-year-old former garda of Slieve Bracken, Gortlee, Letterkenny, Co Donegal, had suffered a vicious assault and battery seven years ago while on duty in James St, Westport, Co Mayo.