Woman who suffered brain injury in crash awarded €7m

A SETTLEMENT of over €7 million has been approved for a young woman who suffered “catastrophic” brain injuries in a road accident in Co Tipperary five years ago.

Mr Justice Iarfhlaith O’Neill approved the settlement yesterday for student Valerie Bourke, aged 26 of Mill House, Ash Park, Carrick-on-Suir, Co Tipperary. An application will be made later to have Ms Bourke made a ward of court.

Through her mother Catherine Bourke, Ms Bourke, who has been deaf since birth, had sued Patrick Holden of Sream, Aglish, Carigee, Co Waterford, and Stefan Gilchrist of Clonmore, Piltown, Co Kilkenny arising from the accident on May 13, 2006.