Wednesday 28 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 1402Personal injury (road traffic accident at road works) · Co. Galway · 1 May 2020

Man, 25, settles €4.75m personal injury action after being struck by steel jack at road works in Galway

On 1 May 2020, Karam Ali, a 25-year-old man from Bradford, England, suffered a traumatic brain injury when a steel jack was dislodged by a car and struck him while he was laying ducts at road works on Shantalla Road, Galway city. The driver, Mohamed El Helali of Barnacranny, Galway, was alleged to have failed to drive with due care and attention. Liability was conceded in 2024 and the case proceeded to the High Court for assessment of damages only after mediation. In July 2025, Mr Justice Paul Coffey approved a €4.75 million settlement as fair and reasonable.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court2 Jul
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Karam Ali, a 25-year-old man from Bradford, England, was struck by a steel jack at road works while laying ducts.
  • A car driven by Mohamed El Helali of Barnacranny, Galway, struck a steel jack which then collided with Mr Ali.
  • The driver allegedly neglected to look where he was driving and failed to drive with due care and attention.
Where
The accident occurred on Shantalla Road, Galway city.
When
The accident happened on 1 May 2020.
Weapon
A steel jack was dislodged by the car and struck Mr Ali, knocking off his safety helmet.
Cause
Mr Ali sustained an acquired brain injury including skull fractures, with ongoing difficulty concentrating and excess fatigue.
Investigation
He was taken to hospital in Galway, transferred to Dublin for an operation to remove part of his skull, and later transferred to a UK hospital.
Charges
Liability was conceded in 2024 and the case proceeded for assessment of damages only.
In court
The settlement was reached after mediation and approved by Mr Justice Paul Coffey in the High Court.
Sentence
The settlement amount was €4.75 million.
Other details
Mr Ali had been in Ireland for eight months at the time of the accident.
19 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatKaram Ali suffered a traumatic brain injury when struck by a steel jack at road works. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe settlement amount was €4.75 million. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatKaram Ali was a general operative laying ducts at the time of the accident. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatA car struck a steel jack which then collided with Mr Ali. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatLiability was conceded the previous year and the case was for assessment of damages only. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe settlement was reached after mediation. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatMr Ali suffered an acquired brain injury with difficulty concentrating and excess fatigue. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe car driver was Mohamed El Helali of Barnacranny, Bushy Park, Galway. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe car suddenly and without warning struck a steel jack which in turn hit Mr Ali. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatMr Ali was wearing a safety helmet which was knocked off in the accident. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe driver allegedly neglected to look where he was driving and failed to drive with due care and attention. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatMr Ali sustained a head injury including fractures to the skull. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatHe was taken to hospital in Galway and later transferred to Dublin for an operation to remove part of his skull. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatHis family travelled to Ireland to be at his bedside and he was later transferred to a UK hospital. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe accident occurred on Shantalla Road, Galway city. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereKaram Ali had an address in Bradford, England. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe accident happened on 1 May 2020. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtMr Justice Paul Coffey approved the settlement as fair and reasonable. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherMr Ali had been in Ireland for eight months when the accident happened. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 2 Jul2025
    In courtirishmirror.ie, first report
    Man, 25, settles €4.75m action after being struck by steel jack at road works

    Reports the High Court approval of a €4.75 million settlement in a personal injury action, with liability conceded the previous year and the case heard for assessment of damages only after mediation.

    victim, Karam Ali, 25, male, non-irish (judged from name)Karam Alisuspect, Mohamed El Helali, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Mohamed El Helali