Courts / Carlow / Report

Action brought by man who lost eye after pool ball pub attack resolved

Summary

In a High Court hearing on 5 November 2015, Richard Butler, aged 48, resolved a damages action against McSuils pub owners Noel and Ken Walker and his assailant Joseph Phillips. Butler had lost his left eye when Phillips struck him with a pool ball during an altercation at the pub on 17 July 2012. Butler, a former tiler, now wears a prosthetic eye. He alleged that the pub owners should have evicted Phillips after learning of his intoxication and violent propensity, and that the pub had served alcohol to him when it was dangerous, showing reckless disregard for Butler's safety. The owners denied the claims and the assault was not deemed foreseeable. The court entered judgment against Phillips in default of a defence and asked for damages. No settlement details were disclosed in open court. The pub is now closed. The hearing was presided over by Mr Justice Kevin Cross.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Action brought by man who lost eye after pool ball pub attack resolved. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• July 17th 2012 Incident
• 2015-11-05 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Sentence Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report