GARDA SERGEANT COMPENSATED FOR STABBING INCIDENT
The horror of a crazed young man wielding two knives in Fermoy town in the early hours of New Year’s Eve 2006, was recalled at a High Court garda compensation hearing which saw 55-year-old Garda Sergeant, John Liston who had been stabbed in the incident, awarded a total of €106,000 in damages.
Sgt Liston, now stationed in Mallow, cried as he told the court of his unsuccessful attempt to disarm 26 year old Trevor Clancy, of Pike Road, Fermoy and broke down after telling the court of how he had heard, while in Cork University Hospital, that Mr Clancy had killed himself by turning the knives on himself.
Sgt Liston received the stab wound while making a bid to disarm Mr Clancy as garda colleagues pleaded unsuccessfully with him to hand over the knives. Sgt Liston said he had been unable to fully get over his inability to save the man from himself, and said he still suffered sleeplessness and flashbacks to the incident.
Sgt Liston has already been the recipient of an excellence award by his colleagues for his bravery in dealing with the incident and for the manner in which he had handled his recovery.
Ms Justice Mary Irvine awarded Sgt Liston general damages of €100,000 and €6,400 for special damages and expenses.
Published:
Thursday 14th April 7:37pm
