Courts / Wexford / Report

Victim of unprovoked pub assault awarded €231k

Summary

In a High Court decision dated 3 November 2020, Mr Oliver Bennett, aged 64, was awarded €231,000 in damages for life‑changing injuries sustained in an unprovoked assault at the Tir Na nOg Public House, Wellington Bridge, Wexford, on 15 April 2009. The assault was carried out by John Codd, who later pleaded guilty and received an 18‑month sentence. Mr Bennett sued both Codd and Wallace Taverns Limited, the pub's operator, for negligence. The court found no contest to liability, and the claim was assessed solely for damages. Mr Bennett, a former building‑trade entrepreneur who managed 300 workers, suffered severe head injuries, a coma, a stroke, memory loss, and limited physical and communicative abilities, now living in sheltered accommodation. The award also covered Mr Bennett's legal costs. The judge praised the legal representation of both parties and highlighted the lasting impact of the injuries on Mr Bennett's life.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Victim of unprovoked pub assault awarded €231k. Charges or matters: assaulting Mr Bennett and was jailed for 18 months. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• April 15th, 2009 Incident
• 2020-11-03 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Sentence Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report