Young girl knocked down on Dublin street settles action for €90,000

High Court reporters

A young girl who was knocked down by a car on a street in Dublin and ended up with significant dental and facial injuries has settled a High Court action for €90,000.

Jayda Rose Kane Mooney was eight-years-old when she suffered multiple facial fractures and dental trauma, including a tooth embedded in her gum and the loss of other teeth, after the incident in the Liberties area of Dublin city.

Her counsel, Finbarr Fox SC, instructed by Ferrys Solicitors, told the court the little girl was put into the air by the impact, adding the car had hit her hard.

Counsel explained the girl, who thought she had a green light in her favour, had run out when she should not have, but it was their case that the driver was not keeping a lookout as was necessary.

Mr Fox said their side contended there was an unobstructed view, but the driver failed to see the girl and was allegedly not having a proper lookout.

Counsel said there was not a crossing at the point where the collision happened at the junction of Thomas Street and Oliver Bond Hill, and no green light.

The girl (now 13), of Thomas Court, Thomas Street, Pimlico, Dublin, had through her grandmother, Breda Mooney, sued the driver of the car, Paul Redmond, of Portarlington, Co Laois, over the incident on May 3rd, 2018.

It was claimed there was an alleged failure to drive with due care and attention and an alleged failure to have regard for the safety of another person using the roadway.

It was further claimed there was an alleged failure to slow down, brake or take any other evasive action or otherwise manoeuvre the vehicle so as to avoid colliding with the pedestrian.

The claims were denied.

Approving the settlement, which included €75,000 in general damages and €15,000 in special damages, Mr Justice Michael O’Higgins remarked that the girl had 29 appointments at the Dental University Hospital up until 2021.