Court of Appeal allows appeal of a High Court decision to dismiss a case involving allegations of assault by An Garda Síochána, in circumstances where the plaintiff's claim, which had seen a seven-year period of inactivity, on the grounds that the defendants had not demonstrated sufficient prejudice from the delay and had themselves contributed to the delay by not responding to the plaintiff's attempts to clarify issues and prepare for trial.
Court of Appeal - High Court - An Garda Síochána - assault allegations - delay in litigation - dismissal for want of prosecution - reputational damage - balance of justice - Primor plc v. Stokes Kennedy Crowley - Ó Domhnaill v Merrick - prejudice - inordinate and inexcusable delay - procedural default - Comcast International Holdings Incorporated v Minister for Public Enterprise - Personal Injuries Assessment Board Act 2003 - discovery - notice of intention to proceed - S.I. No. 391 of 1998 - case management.