€7.5k award for syringe prisoner
A PRISONER who was injured by a syringe hidden in his cell mattress has been awarded damages.
Mr Kevin D'Arcy, counsel for Jonathan Coyle, told the Circuit Civil Court his client's hand was pierced when he accidentally grabbed the needle of a hypodermic syringe while tucking bedding under the mattress. The syringe had been hidden in a tear in the mattress.
Circuit Court President, Mr Justice Matthew Deery, heard that Coyle, of St Donagh's Park, Donaghmede, Dublin, had been sharing a cell with other prisoners in Wheatfield Prison in August 2004.
He had been transferred to a single cell and went to make up his bed with fresh linen when he moved in.
Fearful
Mr D'Arcy said Mr Coyle (25) had been treated in the prison and at Tallaght Hospital and had afterwards suffered psychological injury.
He had feared the syringe had been used by another prisoner to inject themselves with drugs and that he might become HIV positive or contract hepatitis C.
Despite blood tests suggesting he had not contracted any disease, Coyle continued to remain fearful.
A psychological report presented to the court stated that following the incident Coyle reportedly experienced a "total lack of information" from the prison authorities.
He had not been made aware of the prognosis and had not understood the risk factors and implications, consequently fearing the worst. He had received only one session of counselling and not until two months later.
"If it is the case he received inadequate information about the likely consequences of a needlestick injury, it is understandable that he suffered significant mental torment between the injury and getting the all-clear," the report stated.
Damages
Awarding Coyle €7,500 damages, Judge Deery said evidence had revealed the cell had not been locked at all times and that the prison governor's directions in regard to search procedures had not been fully complied with.
- Ray Managh
