A former Wheatfield prisoner who was slashed with a Stanley-type knife across the face, back and abdomen in an unprovoked attack by a fellow inmate has secured €40,000 damages in the High Court.
The proceedings were taken by Peter Creighton, 30, of Murphy Lawn, Clondalkin in Dublin, who was serving a four-year sentence at the time of the attack.
His counsel, Patrick Keane SC, said there was an onus on the prison authorities to take reasonable precautions for the safety of his client and not expose him to the risk of injury.
On the application of Gerard Clarke SC, for the Governor of Wheatfield Prison, Mr Justice Barry White granted a stay on the award pending an appeal to the Supreme Court.
