Garda Sean Daly withdraws €60,000 damages claim after court hears he climbed four highest peaks post-crash
Garda Sean Daly, 42, of Curkish, Bailieborough, Co Cavan, claimed back and leg injuries from a traffic crash in October 2016 in Co Tipperary while participating in a Garda driving programme. He sued Garda Commissioner Drew Harris, a colleague driving an unmarked garda car, Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan, and Hyundai Cars Ireland for €60,000 in damages. At the Circuit Civil Court hearing in 2025, cross-examination by defence barrister Shane English revealed Daly had climbed Carrauntoohil, Lugnaquilla, Slieve Donard and Mweelrea in one weekend in May 2017, seven months after the crash. Judge Sarah Berkeley allowed a brief adjournment, after which Daly's barrister told the court he had received instructions to withdraw the claim within minutes.
- Reported
- Arrested
- Charged
- In court
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Garda Sean Daly, 42, of Curkish, Bailieborough, Co Cavan, claimed back and leg injuries from a traffic crash while participating in a Garda driving programme.
- Where
- The vehicle struck and skidded 100 metres along a ditch in Co Tipperary.
- When
- The crash occurred in October 2016.
- Investigation
- Cross-examination by defence barrister Shane English revealed Daly had climbed Carrauntoohil, Lugnaquilla, Slieve Donard and Mweelrea in one weekend in May 2017, seven months after the crash.
- Daly had signed an Injuries Board claim form and attended his doctor on the same day, but had not attended his doctor until February 9, 2018, a year and five months after the crash.
- Charges
- Daly sued Garda Commissioner Drew Harris, a colleague driving an unmarked garda car, Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan, and Hyundai Cars Ireland for €60,000 in damages.
- In court
- The case was heard by Judge Sarah Berkeley in the Circuit Civil Court.
- Sentence
- Daly's barrister told the court he had received instructions to withdraw the claim within minutes of the adjournment.
14 statements extracted from the articles
- whatGarda Sean Daly claimed his back and legs had been injured in a traffic crash. (irishtimes.com)
- whatGarda Sean Daly is from Curkish, Bailieborough, Co Cavan. (irishtimes.com)
- whatSean Daly was 42 years old. (irishtimes.com)
- whatHe claimed he had been injured while participating in a Garda driving programme. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe vehicle struck and skidded 100 metres along a ditch in Co Tipperary. (irishtimes.com)
- whatHis damages claim was for €60,000. (irishtimes.com)
- whatDaly said he had been struggling to get back to soccer, running, walking and gym work for months after the crash. (irishtimes.com)
- whatHe had signed an Injuries Board claim form and attended his doctor on the same day. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe climbs lasted between four and seven hours. (irishtimes.com)
- whatDaly pulled his case within minutes of the adjournment. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe crash occurred in October 2016, seven years before the court hearing. (irishtimes.com)
- whenHe had not attended his doctor until February 9th 2018, a year and five months after the October 2016 crash. (irishtimes.com)
- whenHe climbed the four peaks in May 2017, seven months after the accident. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe case was heard by Judge Sarah Berkeley in the Circuit Civil Court. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 9 May2025Garda withdraws damages claim after court hears he climbed Ireland’s highest mountains after incident
Reports the withdrawal of the claim after cross-examination by defence barrister Shane English revealed the garda had climbed Carrauntoohil, Lugnaquilla, Slieve Donard and Mweelrea in one weekend in May 2017, undermining his testimony that he had been struggling with physical activity for months after the crash.
victim, Sean Daly, 42, male, irish (judged from name)Sean Dalysuspect, male