Family of woman who died after being hit by Healy-Rae truck awarded €850,000

Olivia Kelleher

The family of a woman who died in 2020 after being struck by a truck from the Healy-Rae plant hire company in Co Kerry have been awarded €850,000 in damages at a sitting of the High Court in Cork.

Ms Justice Nuala Jackson offered her sincere condolences to the six children of Joanne Davies (50), who was hit by a truck while she was walking across a zebra crossing on July 17th, 2020, at Ardnannweely, Killarney.

Ms Davies, who was also known as Downey, was on her way to take a Covid-19 test when the accident occurred.

Ms Justice Jackson praised the 33-year-old plaintiff in the case Jeremiah, who is known as Chris, for becoming the guardian of one of his then juvenile sisters following the death of their mother. She said there was a great sense of togetherness in the family.

"That doesn’t always happen," the judge said. "You were all singing from the same hymn sheet. That is always beneficial."

The €850,000 settlement includes special damages of €6,000 for funeral costs, legal costs of €37,000 and €35,000 for mental distress.

The plant hire established by Kerry TD Danny Healy-Rae had accepted liability for the death of Ms Davies in seven High Court cases taken by her children.

The driver of the truck, Sean Tangney (71), of Pinewood, Killarney, was acquitted in June last year of one count of careless driving causing the death of Ms Davies.

He had been employed by the Healy-Rae Plant Hire for three-and-a-half years at the time of the incident.

The trial at Tralee Circuit Criminal Court was attended by Danny Healy-Rae and his son Johnny, who is the plant hire firm’s managing director.

Mr Tangey, who was driving within the 50km/h speed limit, said he had not seen Ms Davies before the collision.

A witness in his office overlooking the pedestrian crossing on the morning of the accident had told the court that Ms Downey stepped out on the zebra crossing as the truck was passing. He felt the truck had “no chance.”

However, the trial also heard how gardaí believed the truck driver should have seen her.

In November 2023, Danny Healy-Rae and his wife Eileen transferred all of their shares in Healy-Rae Plant Hire to their son, Johnny.

Ms Davies resided at Ash Close, in Ballydribbeen, Killarney. Joanne was very involved in her local community as a healthcare worker and was an active member of Legion GAA.

She volunteered to cook for the senior players after training and was honoured by the club with an achievement award for outstanding service.