AN insurance company is considering an appeal after a fighter got €90,000 for crash damages – despite him continuing to fight after the accident.

Martin Ward – a mixed martial arts fighter and member of the Defence Forces – won a number of competitions after the smash.

The 32-year-old dad-of-two, from Athlone in Westmeath, took a case against Axa insurance company following a road collision four years ago.

Ward, a world kickboxing silver medallist and All-Ireland army boxing champion, was a back seat passenger during the February 2014 collision and suffered injuries to his back, hip and legs.

Video footage was shown in court of the MMA fighter winning one of a number of competitions after the accident.

But despite Axa putting up a defence to the personal injuries bid in the High Court, Ward was yesterday awarded €90,000 over the crash.

In his judgement, Mr Justice Denis McDonald admitted the award was outside the normal range. But the judge declared the brawler had suffered a traumatic injury which had an impact on his career as an elite athlete.

Judge McDonald conceded that to the untrained eye, the video footage of Ward competing successfully in a kickboxing fight in September 2015 after the accident was a remarkable accomplishment.

However he said the court had heard evidence of how Ward had lost the “explosive power” in his left leg and he was not performing at the height of his powers pre-accident.

Judge McDonald pointed out Ward’s evidence had been strongly corroborated by orthopaedic surgeon, Desmond Mackey, who said adrenaline could have masked pain, which recurred after the fight.

Dr Mackey said the injuries would not have seriously impacted a person carrying out normal activities but they had a huge effect on an elite athlete.

He said Ward’s strength and fitness had stood to him in overcoming his injuries.

The judge said medical evidence showed Ward had made a complete recovery but he made the award of €90,000 for past pain and suffering.

Axa had flagged up during the court hearing that the plaintiff went on to win Irish and international kickboxing championships.

The Irish Sun understands Axa will consider an appeal following the award and the judge put a stay of €30,000 in the event of an appeal.

Speaking to the Irish Sun last night, Colm Featherstone, from Axa, said: “It is a High Court decision, we presently have no comment to make pending receipt of a full transcript of the judgement.”

Ward had told the court he was not denying that he continued to compete in MMA events, but said his dream of being the best in his field was hugely compromised.

He told the court he no longer had the explosive power in his legs, which had been his strongest point, and his competitive style was more on reliant on upper body strength than previously.

Ward said MMA fighting was his passion and told how he trained daily.