A man who claimed he  fell on a staircase at a wedding venue in Cork has been awarded  €250,000.  He was later diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury.

The man, John Rooney had been attending the wedding with his wife, Penny Rooney in 2018 when the accident happened.

The family’s Counsel said in court that Mr. Rooney died two years later in 2020.

Penny Rooney, of Westport, Co Mayo, had sued Henry Gwyn Jones, of Ballnatray Estate, Lackaroe, Youghal, Co Cork.

Mr Rooney, who was aged 69, allegedly struck his head on the marble staircase when he fell, and it was claimed he suffered catastrophic brain injuries.

They claimed there was an alleged failure to maintain the staircase so that it did not present a falling hazard to visitors and there was an alleged failure to have sufficient or adequate handrails or lighting. All claims were denied.

Mr Rooney allegedly fell three or four steps from the bottom of the stairs, striking his head and he was knocked unconscious. He was taken to Cork University Hospital and later transferred to a Dublin hospital for specialist care.

The father of five and a grandfather of six was diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury and multiple fractures. He underwent two brain surgeries.

It was claimed he had suffered a catastrophic, life changing brain injury, could not communicate and had a severe cognitive impairment. He had to be cared for in a nursing home.

Mr Justice Garrett Simons approved the settlement.

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