Judge: School fall was an accident, pure and simple

A 22-year-old university student could face a hefty legal bill after she yesterday lost her High Court action for an injury sustained while playing hockey at school.

Ailbhe Cole slipped on wet grass as she retrieved a ball that had gone out of play. Mr Justice Raymond Fullam said it was “an accident, pure and simple.”

“Strange as it may seem, accidents can happen where ‘somebody else’ is not to blame. This was such an occasion,” he said, adding: “Sport is an important part of education in schools and not just just in developing healthy minds in healthy bodies. If schools were to be made legally responsible for pupils slipping on wet or mucky grass in the course of outdoor games, it would be impossible to include any outdoor sport on the curriculum.”