Dessie Larkin - Larkin V. The Football Association of Ireland

Larkin V. The Football Association of Ireland

During a football match played on 3 October 1993, Larkin suffered severe burning to his scrotum and inner thighs. In 2006, he sued the Football Association of Ireland (FAI). His injuries resulted from the lime used to mark the football pitch burning his scrotum and inner thighs.

The burning occurred when Larkin was playing a soccer match for Bonagee Celtic Football Club in the FAI Junior Cup. Larkin recalled the lack of changing or showering facilities. He removed his football shorts only to notice "white stuff" in his shorts. His skin was also inflamed. After an uncomfortable drive home, Larkin applied Sudocream to his testicles, took painkillers and went to bed. The judge in the case was told there were no instructions from the FAI regarding the amount of lime and water to be included in the mix. The judge awarded Larkin €9000, also stating that the onus was on the FAI to ensure players were sufficiently warned to take precautions to prevent such incidents happening.