A man who was doored by a driver as he was cycling to work in Dublin over three years ago has been awarded €30,000 in damages by the courts after the injuries he sustained were outlined in court.
Anthony O’Flaherty (32), of Oranmore Road, Ballyfermot, Dublin, was a soldier based at McKee Barracks, Dublin, in January, 2019, when he was doored as he rode to work.
Dublin Circuit Court was told Mr O'Flaherty was thrown off his bike and onto the road and that he fractured his left wrist as well as sustaining soft tissue injuries to his right thigh.
The injured man sued Robert Robertson, of Fenwick, Ayreshire, who had parked his Mercedes van fully on the footpath at Memorial Park, Islandbridge, Dublin, where the crash occurred.
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The court was told as Mr O'Flaherty was cycling along the road the driver's door of Mr Robertson's door was suddenly opened in his path and took him off his bike, knocking him into the road. He also said he heard Mr Robertson on the phone, inside the van, around the time of impact.
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Mr Roberston told the court he had been out of his van, with the driver and side door opened, and that he had been looking into the vehicle when he heard a noise and realised there had been a crash. He then went to Mr O'Flaherty to see if he was injured.
Judge Terry O’Sullivan awarded €30,000 for the injuries sustained, saying he found it hard to accept a cyclist would ride into a vehicle door that was already open.
Judge O'Sullivan added he accepted the van door being opened had caused the incident. He said drivers were not entitled to suddenly open their vehicle doors out onto the road without checking first that the way was clear.
