Blind garda sergeant settles claim against HSE

A Garda sergeant has settled a claim against the HSE that he was left blind because of a delay in diagnosing an eye infection linked to wearing contact lenses.

Forty-seven-year-old Niall Fitzpatrick of Boher, Co Limerick also sued consultant eye specialist Raymond Niland.

Niall Fitzpatrick said he was on the cusp of being promoted to head of the Garda drugs squad in Limerick when he contracted a serious eye condition that has left him blind.

He was seen on 11 occasions after first attending the Mid Western Regional Hospital in Limerick in June 2005, but claims doctors initially treated him for the wrong condition.

He says he was treated for viral keratitis instead of a serious corneal infection known as acanthamoeba keratitis which can affect people who wear contact lenses.

He says the delay in diagnosing his condition stopped him from making a full recovery.

He sued the HSE and his eye specialist. Talks between the parties got underway on day two of his legal action.

Judge Mary Irvine has now struck out the case which settled for an undisclosed sum, and awarded costs to Sgt Fitzpatrick.