Families of men killed in crash get compensation

THE families of two young men killed in a car crash in Fermoy three years ago were awarded compensation at the High Court in Cork yesterday.

Mr Justice Paul Butler approved the settlement offers that were made in the case to the two families.

More than €100,000 was awarded to the family of the late James Sexton, who was 19 at the time of the crash. The civil action was taken by Seamus Sexton, the deceased’s father, from Firmount, Castlelyons, Co Cork, on behalf of the family.

More than €80,000 was awarded to the family of the late Michael Murphy, who was 22 at the time. This action was taken by the deceased’s father, Jerry Murphy of 9 Main Street, Castlelyons.

Both awards included special damages for expenses and losses that were incurred by the families.

The offers which were approved by the court yesterday were put forward by the insurers for defendant Theresa Dingivan, aged 22, of Pearse Square in Fermoy, Co Cork.

Ms Dingivan was put on trial by judge and jury for a week in November 2008 and was found not guilty of a charge of dangerous driving at Strawhall, Fermoy, causing the deaths of James Sexton and Michael Murphy, at 9pm on Sunday night, August 5, 2007.

In the trial Judge Patrick J Moran told the jury that they could take into consideration the experience of the defendant. She had been driving for two months prior to the accident and was on a first provisional license.

Eye witness Catriona Drishane agreed that the defendant’s car was not travelling fast.