Left-Footed Irishman v. Right-Footed Spade

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30064, 23 February 1963, Page 11

Left-Footed Irishman v. Right-Footed Spade

LONDON, Feb. 21. A left-footed Irishman claimed damages in a Belfast court today because he injured his bark when he slipped off a right-footed spade, the “Daily Mail” reported.

In Ireland, workmen have ■ choice between left-footed and right-footed spades, the newspaper said. When 36-year-oki Hugh McGaheys foreman gave him a rightfooted one he told him: “That's no good for me. I’m left-footed "

The "Daily Mail" said the foreman replied: "There’s nothing else available You*U have to do the best you can.” Mr McGahey told the court

(N Z. Press Association— Copyright)

that his right-footed spade struck a stone and threw him off balance. He fell down a bank, was in hospital for 10 days, off work for three years and lost £IOOO in pay. The “Daily Mail’’ said the Court was shown examples of the two spades. The rightfooted one had more of the blade on the right side, and the top of the blade turned over on that side to act as a foot rest. The left-footed one had these features reversed.

Mr McGafiey sued the Ministry of Agriculture, his employer at the time. The Judge stopped the case because there was no evidence of negligence, the newspaper said.