Ireland Man beaten with crowbar in Cork business park settles High Court action for €2m
On 28 April 2015, Mark Lahive, a man from Ballyvolane, Co Cork, was beaten with a crowbar in a four-minute attack while loading a work van at Exchange Business Park, Churchfield, Cork. Two young men, identified in the key facts as Jamie O'Brien and Eddie Murphy, pleaded guilty to assault causing serious harm and were jailed by Cork Circuit Criminal Court, with O'Brien receiving six years with the last year suspended and Murphy six years. Lahive later settled a High Court action for €2 million, which was 50 per cent of the full value of the claim, and the contributory negligence claims against him were withdrawn. The settlement, reported on 28 November 2023, is the latest development.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced28 Nov
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Mark Lahive was beaten with a crowbar while loading a work van in a Cork business park.
- Where
- The attack took place at Exchange Business Park, Churchfield, Cork.
- When
- The attack took place on 28 April 2015.
- Weapon
- Lahive was beaten with a crowbar in an attack that lasted about four minutes.
- Cause
- Lahive had picked up a crowbar when he saw two men trying to break into his van, and it dropped from his hand when he fell and was then used by the assailants.
- Other details
- Lahive suffered catastrophic injuries, including to his brain.
- Lahive's counsel said the contributory negligence allegations had greatly upset Lahive and his family.
- Charges
- Two young men pleaded guilty to assault causing serious harm.
- In court
- Cork Circuit Criminal Court jailed the two men, and the presiding judge described the offence as a truly egregious offence.
- Lahive settled his High Court action for €2 million, which was 50 per cent of the full value of the claim.
- Claims of contributory negligence against Lahive, made by his employer and the business park operators, were formally withdrawn as part of the settlement.
- Sentence
- Jamie O'Brien was jailed for six years, with the last year suspended.
- Eddie Murphy was jailed for six years for the assault.
11 statements extracted from the articles
- whatThe victim was attacked while loading a work van in a Cork business park. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe attack took place at Exchange Business Park, Churchfield, Cork. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe attack took place on 28 April 2015. (irishtimes.com)
- weaponThe victim was beaten with a crowbar. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeTwo young men pleaded guilty to assault causing serious harm. (irishtimes.com)
- courtLahive settled his High Court action for €2 million. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe settlement represented 50 per cent of the full value of the claim. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe claims of contributory negligence against the victim were formally withdrawn. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceJamie O’Brien was jailed for six years with the last year suspended. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceEddie Murphy was jailed for six years for the assault. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe presiding judge described the offence as truly egregious. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 28 Nov2023Man who suffered catastrophic injuries after being beaten with crowbar settles case for €2m
Reports a High Court civil settlement of €2 million arising from the 2015 assault, with the claims of contributory negligence withdrawn. The two assailants were jailed earlier at Cork Circuit Criminal Court.
victim, Mark Lahive, 47, male, irish (judged from name)Mark Lahiveconvicted, Jamie O'Brien, male, named, irish (judged from name)Jamie O'Brienconvicted, Eddie Murphy, male, named, irish (judged from name)Eddie Murphy