A Limerick man has gone on hunger strike in a bid to force an insurance company to pay out on his burned out car after his son stole it while he was locked up in prison.

Going on hunger strike is an extreme move, and an emotionally resonant one in this part of the world especially. But now a Limerick man, Gerry McDonagh, has begun a protest against AXA insurance over their refusal to pay out for his now-wrecked Toyota Auris, according to the Limerick Leader.

The story goes all the way back to July 2009, when McDonagh was on remand for assault charges, an offence which later netted him six months behind bars.

Anyway, McDonagh tells the paper that while he was on remand, his son stole his Toyota Auris, which was found burnt out some time later. He admits his son took the car but denies that he burnt it out.

McDonagh is claiming a €24,000 pay out from AXA who are refusing to hand over the cash. McDonagh began picketing the AXA office this week, living on just tea and water, and he claims he is prepared to die in his quest for “justice”.

Perhaps there is more to this than meets the eye but going on hunger strike is a very, very serious matter and whatever happens we hope it is resolved. There has to be a better way than this anyway.