A Donegal spectator at a golf tournament who was hit on the head by a golf ball and knocked unconscious has lost his High Court action.
Colm Campbell (65) from, Donegal town, had claimed golfer Kevin Le Blanc’s shot was errant and that he should have shouted “fore” before taking it.
The golfer and the event organisers said Mr Campbell was not looking at the shot but was engaged in conversation.
The Irish Independent has reported Ms Justice Bronagh O’Hanlon yesterday dismissed Mr Campbell’s action saying he was not paying attention and was talking to friends.
Mr Campbell claimed as a result of the accident in which he was struck on the left side of his forehead, he is in constant pain and his life has totally changed.
He was attending the West of Ireland Championship for amateur golfers at County Sligo Golf Club, Rosses Point, Sligo.
He had sued the golf club and event organisers the Golfing Union of Ireland (GUI) National Coaching Academy Ltd.
He also sued the golfer Mr Le Blanc, of Donabate, Dublin, who at the time was a top amateur golfer and later turned professional for a number of years.
Ms Justice O’Hanlon said she had not been able to find in favour of Mr Campbell in any respect.
The father of three now faces a substantial legal costs bill from the action, which was heard over six days, after costs were awarded against him.
The judge granted a stay on the order for 28 days in the event of an appeal.
The judge said it had to be kept in mind that it was an amateur sport although played at an elite amateur level and Mr Campbell was a recreational user “responsible to a huge extent, as matters played out, for his own safety.”
For full report, see www.independent.ie