Woman who fell at Slane gig withdraws case against Dundalk company

Victoria Clayton

A Co Armagh woman who was suing a Dundalk-based company and concert promoters MCD after allegedly slipping and fracturing her leg at a Rolling Stones concert in Slane Castle in 2007 withdrew her case at the High Court yesterday.

Victoria Clayton withdrew her case on the second day of the hearing as it was approaching a conclusion with evidence from the concert site manager.

Noel MacMahon SC, for Ms Clayton, told Ms Justice Mary Irvine his client was withdrawing her case and no further orders were required. The judge said that seemed a “wise” decision.

Ms Clayton had said she suffered fractures to her leg and was in immense pain after the fall just before the Rolling Stones came out on stage for the August 2007 gig at Slane.

A nurse with an address at Portadown, Co Armagh, Ms Clayton had sued MCD Productions Ltd, Park Road, Dún Laoghaire, Co Dublin, and Corporate Solutions Group, Coes Road, Dundalk, Co Louth as a result of the accident on August 18th 2007.

She claimed the defendants were negligent in the management and operation of the site and in its upkeep and maintenance during a live musical event.

She claimed a sloping grassy bank was permitted to become excessively wet and slippery and there was an failure to provide some system whereby patrons could safely and securely negotiate the bank.

The claims were denied. It is argued straw and mulch was placed around the venue and there were gravel paths to walk on.

Earlier yesterday the site manager at Slane for the concert, Tony Killeen, said in the lead up to the event the organisers were aware of the weather forecast which predicted a lot of rain and materials such as straw and mulch had been stockpiled.

On the day, he said there were 28 staff to spread it, if it was needed.

The land at Slane was well-drained farmland and and does not get muddy. He said it was not muddy everywhere as alleged and there were patches of mud which were spread with straw and mulch. The site he said was in good condition on the day, he said.

Previously: Woman sues Dundalk company over fall at Slane gig

 

Woman sues Dundalk company over fall at Slane gig

Victoria Clayton leaving court yesterday

A nurse from Co Armagh is suing a Dundalk-based company and concert promoters MCD after she missed the Rolling Stones’ concert in Slane in August 2007 after allegedly slipping on mud and being carried from the venue on a stretcher.

Victoria Clayton told the High Court yesterday she was in immense pain after the fall, which occurred just before the Rolling Stones came out on stage.

Ms Clayton, with an address in Portadown, Co Armagh, has sued MCD Productions Ltd, Park Road, Dún Laoghaire, Co Dublin, and Corporate Solutions Group, Coes Road, Dundalk, Co Louth, over the accident on August 18th, 2007.

She claims the defendants were negligent in the management and operation of the site and its upkeep and maintenance during a live musical event. A sloping grassy bank was permitted to become excessively wet and slippery and there was an alleged failure to provide some system whereby patrons could safely and securely negotiate that bank, she claims.

The defendants plead they had placed straw and mulch around the venue and there were gravel paths to walk on.

Ms Clayton claims she suffered fractures to the calf and shin bone of her right leg. In her work, when she had to stand during long operations in theatre, she had discomfort in her leg, she said in evidence. There was also an area of numbness around her knee and the scar was still visible.

Earlier, she said she had been to several concerts and attending Slane Castle was an annual pilgrimage. She had gone with a group of friends on a bus to the Rolling Stones concert and drank a can of cider while travelling. She had a glass of wine in the village pub before walking to Slane Castle.

It was wet and she was wearing wellingtons, she said. They had brought bin bags to sit on because the ground was wet and she had beer once she got on to the site. She slipped and fell as she attempted to get to the toilets. She could not get up and had to be taken to an ambulance on a stretcher.

The case continues.