A JOURNALIST WHO was knocked down while allegedly sending a text message has been awarded £1.25m by the Belfast High Court, RTÉ reports.

The court heard that Slovakian native Milan Rybansky suffered serious brain injuries when he was hit by a car when crossing a road in Newtownabbey in December 2004. Since the accident he has not been able to walk or talk.

Rybansky who is fluent in three languages and had worked as both a journalist and a history teacher has been confined to a wheelchair since the crash. He now requires 24-hour care.

He had moved to Belfast just six weeks before the accident.

A witness to the incident had suggested that Rybansky had been using a mobile phone at the time.

Rybansky’s parent brought an action on his behalf against the insurers of the motorist involved in the collision.

The compensation awarded was reduced to reflect Rybansky’s share of responsibility for the accident.

His legal team have secured a payout of £1.125m