Judge asks DPP to consider prosecution over crash claim

A High Court judge has asked the DPP to consider taking a criminal prosecution against a Co Limerick man for falsely claiming damages arising from a road crash. Judge Colm MacEochaidh, following a civil hearing in Limerick, instructed that the court’s digital audio recording of the case along with relevant papers be sent to the DPP.

The digital audio recording has replaced court stenographers and records everything said in court.

The case involved Padraig Lynch, aged 24, of Pound Street, Ballingarry Co Limerick who sought damages for neck and back injuries he claimed were sustained when he was struck by a taxi at O’Connell Avenue, Limerick.

Mr Lynch had previously brought a case before a civil sitting of Limerick Circuit Court against Limerick taxi driver, Martin Downey. When this case was dismissed he brought an appeal to the High Court which was dealt with by Mr Justice MacEochaidh.

Mr Lynch claimed while walking across O’Connell Avenue at around 1am on January 29, 2012, he was struck and mown down by a taxi driven by Mr Downey of Flanker Court, Galvone Road, Limerick. Mr Lynch claimed he was knocked unconscious and removed to University Hospital Limerick by ambulance and treated for a number of days. He said he suffered from neck and back injuries.

Dismissing the appeal, Mr Justice MacEochaidh ruled that Padraig Lynch gave the court false and exaggerated evidence regarding what had occurred.

He said he was referring the matter to the DPP and ordered that the digital audio recording and relevant papers be sent to the DPP.