FORMER IRISH OLYMPIC swimmer Nick O’Hare has been awarded €20,000 damages for personal injuries against a man he described in the Circuit Civil Court as a former acquaintance.

O’Hare, of South Strand, Skerries, Co Dublin, told Circuit Court President Mr Justice Raymond Groarke he had been struck from behind while socialising in a public house with his partner.

Barrister Conor Kearney, who appeared with Blake Horrigan Solicitors, for O’Hare, told the court that the defendant in the case had not engaged with the legal process with regard to the €60,000 damages claim.

During a hearing to assess damages O’Hare (43) told the court he remembered regaining consciousness on the floor and being helped by friends and staff.

He had sued his former acquaintance for damages for assault and battery.

O’Hare said he had been treated at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, where he had received several stitches to his upper lip. He had been left with a scar and still had a small lump on the inside of his lip.

It was learned afterwards that gardaí who had investigated the incident – which took place earlier this year – were considering a prosecution.

Comments have been closed for this article as further legal proceedings are possible.

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