A young man whose hand was seriously injured in a log splitter accident has sued in the High Court.
Ted Roche (22), of Ballyscanlon, Fenor, Tramore, Co Waterford, sued stud farm owner Paul Shanahan over the accident at Mr Shanahan's Ashtown Stud, Kilmacthomas, Co Waterford, on September 22nd 2019.
Mr Roche, who was 17 at the time, was putting logs on to a log-splitter attached to a tractor along with a 17-year-old girl. She was operating a lever which brought a guillotine down on the wood when the accident happened.
It was alleged the defendant was negligent and in breach of duty by, among other things, allowing a child to use a dangerous log splitter for which he had no training or supervision.
Liability is admitted, and the case is before Ms Justice Denise Brett for assessment of damages only.
He is claiming damages for physical and mental injury, including €1 million for future loss of earnings as he had hoped to become a vet before the accident.
The court heard Mr Roche was a talented young rugby player who had attended a number of trials for Munster and was working weekends at the Shanahan farm when the accident happened.
He told his counsel David Bulbulia SC, with Liam Reidy SC and Conor Roberts BL, that the blade cut diagonally across his hand leaving his fingers hanging on with a piece of skin and tendons.
He underwent an 11-hour operation that night in which a plastic surgeon reattached his hand saving three of his fingers but losing the top of his index finger.
During occupational therapy the following month, he said he heard a crack in his hand and he had to undergo three further surgeries.
He said the injury had significantly restricted his ability to carry out ordinary daily tasks.
Simple things like buttoning up a shirt now takes five minutes instead of a minute and he has to ask for assistance when it comes to other daily tasks.
He had to give up rugby and other outdoor pursuits and has suffered from depression as a result of the accident, he said.
The case continues.
