Hunt v The County Councils of Tipperary (N. R and S. R)

• Jurisdiction: Ireland
• Judgment Date: 01 January 1920
• Date: 01 January 1920
• Court: Circuit Court

Cir. Cas.,

Hunt

and

The County Councils of Tipperary (N. R. and S. R.)

Police officer - Compensation - Principle on which awarded - Deductions, - Punitive damages - Criminal Injuries (Ireland) Act, 1919 (9 Geo. V., c. 14), s. 1 - Constabulary and Police (Ireland) Acts, 1914 and 1918 (4 5 Geo. V., c. 54), s. 2, and 8 9 Geo. V., c. 53, s. 4 - Fatal Accidents Act, 1846 (9 10 Vict. c. 93), s. 2.

On an application by the widow and eldest son (on behalf of themselves and the minor children) for compensation under the Criminal Injuries (Ireland) Act, 1919, in respect of the murder of H., a district inspector in the Royal Irish Constabulary:—Held, that the principle on which compensation should be awarded under this Act in cases of murder is similar to that under the Fatal Accidents Act, 1846. Such compensation should represent the full money equivalent of the pecuniary loss sustained by the claimant as a result of the death; and in estimating this loss, the test should be the reasonable expectation of the pecuniary benefit from the deceased had he lived. And any deductions in respect...