The case of a Limerick father whose 10-year-old son was killed when a goal post fell on him has been settled at the High Court.
Patrick Fitzgerald, 39, of Grange, Kilmallock, Co Limerick, had sued the FAI and Michael Barry, a trustee of Holycross soccer club in Limerick, for damages for post traumatic stress caused by the circumstances of his son's death.
Andrew Fitzgerald was taking part in a soccer camp organised by his local club on 5 August 2004, when a goalpost supplied by the FAI and covered with a target sheet, fell on top of him, killing him.
His mother Miriam took a separate legal action and she has already received compensation.
Andrew was their only child, and the couple cannot have anymore children.
Following today's settlement, Miriam Fitzgerald said they took their case for Andy, and for the safety of all children who play on sports fields throughout the country.
This was not a freak accident, she said.
She said it was gross negligence not to have ensured that the target net was properly fastened, particularly when this had happened to many other children.
She said they hope in bringing their action they will have prevented this from happening again, and to 'save other families from the horrific trauma they have suffered' over the past four years.
The couple were awarded their full costs and the matter was struck out before the Mr Justice John Edwards at the High Court.
The amount of the settlement is undisclosed, but described as significant.
