Garda shot in New Orleans awarded $39,868 for car chase injuries

Garda Brian Hanrahan, who was shot in New Orleans in 2015 after drawing $200 from an ATM, was Monday granted more than EUR36,000 payment for injuries he suffered while chasing down criminals practically six years back.

The garda had injuries to his neck, shoulder and lower back in October 2010 when a garda automobile where he was a front seat passenger was rammed following an automobile chase on the Limerick-Mallow road.

In January 2015, Garda Hanrahan (34), of Newcastle West, Limerick, was on vacation in New Orleans when he was shot in the leg and back. He had simply withdrawn $200 from the ATM when approached by 2 males who have since been charged for attempted 2nd degree murder.

He went through surgery in a New Orleans health center where his healthcare bill topped EUR1million and led to fund raising in the house and in the US to cover his medical costs.

Lawyer Michael P. Binchy in the High Court in Dublin informed Mr Justice Bernard Barton that Garda Hanrahan remained in a garda vehicle with an associate going after a stolen automobile in October 2010 when it was rammed.

He had been alleviated with analgesics and anti-inflammatory medication. Later an MRI scan exposed he had suffered soft tissue injuries but although his shoulder and neck injuries cleared up the pain in his back stayed.

Judge Barton stated Garda Hanrahan had run out work for more than two months before initially returning to light tasks. He now needed to drive a garda car for between 10 and 12 hours daily which triggered him issues.

“Garda Hanrahan does not concern himself as handicapped and didn’t beat a course to physio therapists or his GP asking for a reference to any experts,” Judge Barton stated.

He stated there was no reason to think and no medical proof had actually been put forward recommending Garda Hanrahan’s current back problems were going to disappear.

Judge Barton awarded Garda Hanrahan compensation of EUR35,000 ($39,868), and special damages of EUR1,340 ($1,484).