TD being sued over slip ‘at or near’ his constituency office

Semi-retired company director Barry McGrath, of Carrickhill Heights, Portmarnoch, Co Dublin, is claiming up to €60,000 damages against the trio, who deny liability, in proceedings where he alleges he fell down a staircase after leaving Farrell’s office.

McGrath, who will be 69 next Wednesday, states in his claim that he was descending a staircase after visiting Farrell’s office and alleges his fall down the last few steps had been caused by the negligence of one or all of the defendants in the maintenance of the stairs.

He claims he “landed in a heap” in a confined place at the bottom of the staircase and injured his left knee which had been surgically replaced in December 2014. He alleges he badly twisted his vulnerable knee and had been taken by ambulance to Beaumont Hospital.

Following treatment at the hospital he states in his claim he was referred to his GP for treatment for pain and had to have steroid injections as a result of a diagnosed soft tissue sprain to his knee.

When McGrath’s case was called in the Circuit Civil Court before Judge Michael Walsh on Thursday, barrister Louise T. Fogarty, who appeared with Neil M Blaney Solicitors for McGrath, told the court that an error had been made in listing the case which was properly listed for trial in July. Judge Walsh adjourned a hearing of the case until next month.

None of the defendants, each of whom have entered a full defence to McGrath’s claim, or Mr McGrath, appeared in court on Thursday.