An undisclosed settlement has been made in the case taken by a man who survived an incident in Limerick nine years ago in which his two work colleagues died.
Paul Murphy from Askeaton in Co Limerick had taken the case against his employer and other parties after the steel cage that they were strapped into fell into the River Shannon.
Mr Murphy and two other stonemasons, TJ O'Herlihy and Bryan Whelan, had been harnessed into the cage and were wearing lifejackets while they carried out specialised repair works on the south side of Thomond Bridge in Limerick city.
Today, an assessment of damages was heard in the High Court.
After an agreement was reached, Ms Justice Carmel Stewart said she wished Paul Murphy and his family the very best for the future after a very traumatic incident.
A stonemason and father of two, Paul Murphy, gave evidence in the High Court today about what happened the day that two of his work colleagues died when they were trapped under water and the impact it has had on him.
He explained how they were being lowered down in the cage to work on part of the bridge when there was a loud bang as the cable snapped.
"I can still hear it every day," he said. "At that split moment I don't even know if I shouted it or said it in my head but I said we are going into the water. Because I couldn’t swim, I was conscious all week of going into the water."
He said at the start of the contracted work on Thomond bridge that they had not been wearing life jackets but he had requested them from the foreman after they were advised by the Marine Search and Rescue Team, who had been passing, that they should be wearing them.
He said he knew instantly he needed to unhook his harness as the cage fell into the water, but he could only see darkness.
He said he found the hook at the end of the lanyard and grabbed it and "luckily it unhooked."
He recalled hitting his head off the cage before he rose to the shore and the current was strong.
Mr Murphy was emotional as he described to the court how he was told by the gardaí a short time later that his two colleagues had died.
The court heard how he has experienced PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder).
An agreement was reached during an assessment of damages in the High Court this afternoon.
He had taken the action against Gaelach Droichead Ltd, trading as Irish Bridge, Paul Mulcair Ltd, Nationwide Crane Hire Ltd, Palfinger Ireland Ltd, Limerick City and County Council and Malachy Walsh and Co Ltd.
Ms Justice Carmel Stewart said she wished Paul Murphy and his family the best for the future after a very traumatic incident.
Outside the court his solicitor Robert Bourke said they were satisfied with the settlement but were disappointed that no apology had been given.
In a statement Paul Murphy said that an apology would have acknowledged the distress caused to him, his family and the families of his deceased colleagues.
He also described the impact this incident has had on his wife and two children who are constantly checking on his safety when he goes to work.
He said he hopes this incident and today’s settlement highlights the crucial need for strict safety protocols and the obligation of businesses to protect workers in high-risk situations.
