top amateur goalkeeper who injured a big toe while playing footgolf has been awarded damages in the Circuit Civil Court against the owner of the Co Dublin course.
Stuart O’Dwyer of Glenhill Avenue, Finglas, Dublin 11, and Leinster Senior League goalkeeper for Glasnevin FC, suffered the injury to his big toe and sought compensation from Simon Rutledge of the White House pub restaurant, New Park, The Ward, Co Dublin – own of the foot golf course.
Mr O’Dwyer, said his right foot had struck a metal stake covered by long grass at Rutledge’s course.
Mr O’Dwyer told the judge he played in goal for Glasnevin FC at Leinster Senior League level and on the day of the fun game with his dad he had kicked the ball off the 10th tee into very long grass.
As he attempted to kick the ball onto the nearby green his foot had crashed into the metal spike that had been firmly driven into the ground and which was concealed in the grass.
He had injured the big toe on his right foot and had to attend the accident and emergency department of James Connolly Memorial Hospital, in Blanchardstown afterwards, where he was diagnosed with a soft tissue injury.
Lower Body Injury Claim
The court heard the claimant had lost the nail on his big toe and he had been left with a mild deformity in the shape of a small lump on the toe after the nail had regrown.
Mr O’Dwyer said he had joined members of his family 10 days after the accident in a pre-booked holiday to Florida and while his injury had not specifically ruined the vacation he had suffered some pain and discomfort. His injury had cleared up after about nine months.
The judge said he felt compensation would fall in at the lower end of the Circuit Court jurisdiction and awarded Mr O’Dwyer €16,000 damages and Circuit Court legal costs against Rutledge who was not in court nor legally represented.
