Damages of €10k for boy in ‘tip’ collision
A boy who was 10 months old when he was a passenger in a car that was involved in a minor road traffic accident has been awarded €10,500 in damages.
The boy, now five years old, who was represented by Callan Tansey solicitors, was a passenger in the car driven by his mother when the car was stationary at The Mall, Sligo on November 11 th, 2016. The car was driven into from the rear. Barrister, Mr Keith O’Grady outlined to the Circuit Court the accident was not severe and was “essentially a tip”.
Sligo Circuit Court was told his mother had already settled her “very modest case” in relation to the accident. After the accident the 10 month old was examined by a doctor and had no injuries.
In her evidence the child’s mother said following the accident he was more anxious and clingy, this lasted for a period of nine months.
The court was told the child had other issues not relating to the accident and attends an autism unit.
Evidence from Dr Frank Hayes informed the court it was his belief the child’s autism was not the result of the accident.
Judge Francis Comerford said it was “next to near impossible” to prove whether the accident was linked to the child’s autism.
The offer of €10,500 by FBD Insurance was accepted and confirmed by the court.
The monies were directed to the plaintiff ’s mother until such a time as the child reaches majority age.
A Sligo doctor is hoping a business scholarship will assist in his medical career. Of the 120 Aspire Scholarship recipients, more than 10 are currently working in the healthcare industry in leadership positions ranging from medical device companies and hospitals around the country.
Amongst these is Dr David Tansey who is currently working on the frontline of the national COVID-19 crisis at the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital in Dublin. A recent Aspire Scholarship recipient, he has just completed the first 18 months of the two-year Executive MBA programme.
“The Aspire Scholarship provided me with the opportunity to study a part-time Executive MBA at UCD Smurfit School while continuing to work as a doctor with the HSE,” said David, who specializes in Endocrinology, Diabetes Mellitus and General Internal Medicine.
“As the cost of healthcare delivery spirals upwards and doctors are being challenged to do more with fewer resources, it is essential that the consultants of tomorrow have the business prowess to run effective and cost-efficient departments and hospitals in addition to our clinical work.
“I will be forever grateful to the ASPIRE programme for this opportunity and I aim to repay their generosity by using my new MBA skills to revolutionise healthcare delivery in Ireland for the benefit of all patients and Irish society as a whole,” said Dr Tansey. The Aspire Scholarship Programme was established in 2010 after the financial crisis in order to support the recovery and development of future Ireland.
Fifty-percent funding is available for nine MSc scholarships and three MBA scholarships for the 2021/22 academic year. Students from all disciplines can apply online at smurfitschool. ie/aspire before May 7, 2021.
A woman who was hit with a microwave and kettle by her fiancé in a caravan in Strandhill has told Sligo District Court she hopes they can resume their relationship.
William Brannigan of Swifthall, College Wood, Castleknock, Dublin was previously before the court where he pleaded guilty to assault causing harm on, Leona Daly at Strandhill Caravan Park on...
Ms Daly told the court Brannigan threw a microwave at her and hit her in the arm with a kettle. She received a cut to her head which had to be glued and still has a ‘dent’ from the injury.
The court heard there was blood spattered on the roof, floor and bedding of the caravan.
Ms Daly said she was in a serious relationship with the defendant at the time and they were engaged to be married.
“Now he’s working through his issues, and so am I. I’m hoping if he stays on track we can resume our relationship. I’m proud of him, I’m shocked to say that,” Ms Daly told Judge Kevin Kilrane.
The court was told he had engaged with counselling and anger management programmes, which Ms Daly also confirmed.
She told the court on the night in question there was ‘alcohol issues on both parts’ and Brannigan had alcohol and drug issues.
She confirmed to the court she and the defendant are currently seeing each other but not living together.
Judge Kevin Kilrane told Ms Daly he took a serious view towards assaults and asked what her view for the future was.
“I believe in rehabilitation and that people can change...I’m extremely proud of the man he is now,” said Ms Daly, adding that her partner had not drank or taken drugs in over a year.
The judge questioned if any compensation had been paid for the damage to the double bed, microwave, window blind and for the blood staining to the roof, bedding, flooring and furniture of the rented caravan.
No compensation had been sought but the defendant said he would be happy to pay. The court was told the caravan belonged to Leitrim Caravan Hire.
“It wouldn’t seem right that someone could spatter a caravan inside out with blood and nothing to happen from it,” said the judge.
Brannigan told the court he was doing well and had gone through a bad time in his life at the time.
Judge Kilrane said he was impressed by the way Ms Daly spoke of the defendant’s progress.
Brannigan was directed to pay €200 in compensation to the caravan owner.
The matter was adjourned to May 27 th next for finalisation. Ms Daly was told she would not need to attend but should lodge a letter confirming the up-to-date position.
A lighting technician, who Judge Kevin Kilrane described as ‘fiddling the tax payer out of €13k’ was told his case won’t be over until all the money is repaid.
He was ordered to have at least €1,000 in court in May. Darren O’Shaughnessy, The Granarym Rathscanlon, Tubbercurry, appeared before Judge Kilrane at Wednesday’s sitting of Tubbercurry District Court.
He had a number of charges relating to Jobseeker’s Allowance. Ms Elisa McHugh, State Solicitor, indicated that there is a sum of €13,672 outstanding.
Defending solicitor Mr Eamonn Gallagher said his client was told at the court in September to have repaid €1,000 to the Department of Social Protection by this stage.
He said that his client was not in a position to repay the money as he has no income. He was hoping to take up a job in Galway but that fell through due to covid.
He said he was previously employed s a lighting technician in Galway’s theatres but is not at the moment.
He said it is his intention to make the repayments bit he has no means presently.
O’Shaughnessy told the judge that a friend is trying to sort him with work in construction in Galway and he is trying to get a Safe Pass.
Mr Gallagher explained that he is totally reliant on his wife’s income, adding that he was in the States for awhile.
Ms McHugh told the judge his wife is receiving a disability pension of $2,000 a month. He has no dependants, the court heard.
The judge enquired with him if they are receiving any benefits in this country and he replied no.
When asked if he owns his own house or rents, he said they were renting at €750 per month.
Judge Kilrane interjected that the summons was issued in November 2018 ‘ long before the pandemic’ and O’Shaughnessy said he wasn’t working then.
He said that since moving to Tubbercurry he has not been working.
He was working in stage lighting for 15 years and spent 8 of those with the Druid Theatre company in Galway, among others.
The judge enquired if he was qualified in that line of work and he said he wasn’t, but had been 15 years working in theatre.
Judge Kilrane said he seemed to be of the opinion that he cannot pay because he has no work.
He said he fiddled the taxpayer out of €13k and seemed quite happy with the present state of the situation.
He asked him if he has any proposal and O’Shaughnessy replied that his friend is hoping to get him work in Galway, if he is able to get a Safe Pass.
Judge Kilrane added: “You are not getting out of this court without paying back that money.”
He continued that the summons was issued in 2018 and there was no pandemic then,
He asked him that when he got the summons why didn’t he make an effort to pay the money back and he said that he doesn’t have an income.
“Do you not think of looking at something else other than stage lighting?
“Stage lighting is a very limited market and it will stay that way, if it ever returns,” Judge Kilrane pointed out.
“This case will not be finished until the money is paid back,” he told O’Shaughnessy.
He adjourned the matter until the May 26 th sitting of Tubbercurry District Court.