Letterkenny Court approves €6,000 to children involved in collision

Two children who were in a car which was involved in a road traffic collision have each been awarded €6,000.

The general damages were approved by Judge Éiteáin Cunningham at Letterkenny District Court this week.

The claimants were represented by Mr Simon Gillespie BL, instructed by solicitor Ms Sinead Whelan of McIntyre O'Brien Solicitors.

The children, who are now aged 14 and 16, were involved in a road traffic collision in June, 2019 and were accompanied to court by their father.

The court heard that the girl sustained soft tissue injuries to her neck and head. She was discharged from hospital with painkillers and no follow-up treatment or assessment were needed. The girl also missed approximately two weeks of school.

A medical report said that the period of school absence was prolonged and there was no professional follow-up. The doctor did not attribute the symptoms to the collision, the court was told.

Mr Gillespie said he had no hesitation in recommending the approval of the offer, which he said was 'appropriate and adequate'.

Judge Cunningham, noting the difficulty that could arise, said the settlement was a good one in all of the circumstances and approved it.

The young boy also suffered soft tissue injuries to his neck and head and was discharged with painkillers.

He also missed two weeks of school and had some nightmares.

A medical report highlighted some restrictions of movement in the boy's back, but could not attribute these to the collision.

Judge Cunningham approved the settlement.

The offer is also to include District Court costs and a certificate for counsel.

Judge Cunningham noted that there would be difficulty in proving causation were the matter to go to another forum.