€700k sum over girl’s death ‘derisory’

A HIGH COURT judge yesterday described as “derisory” a €700,000 settlement that the family of one of two schoolgirls secured arising from an accident in which both teenagers died after being struck by a tractor/trailer carrying silage bales.

David Hegarty SC for the family said the two girls were coming out of a shop in Main Street, Avoca Bridge, Avoca, Co Wicklow, at lunchtime on June 28, 2003, when the tractor collided with them. Counsel added that an earlier offer of just over €60,000 in settlement was rejected.

The action was taken by Thomas McCauley of Kilmagig, Avoca, Co Wicklow, whose daughter Stephanie was 15 years old when she was killed in the accident. Her 13-year-old friend, Vanessa Byrne, also died in the accident. The proceedings were against Brian Hendley of Main Street, Avoca, Co Wicklow, the owner of a parked van, and Cyril Hobson, 38, of Kilmagig House, Avoca, Co Wicklow, the driver of the tractor. The settlement was given against Mr Hobson.