Widow and family get €125k settlement

THE widow and family of a 30-year-old Lithuanian man killed when he was struck by a car while crossing the road near Maynooth, Co Kildare, secured €125,000 in a settlement at the High Court yesterday.

The proceedings were taken by Rimute Kavaliauskas of Kingsbury, Maynooth, against Robert Jozpef Kurzeja, also of Kingsbury, Maynooth.

The settlement was made without admission of liability.

Declan Buckley SC, for Ms Kavaliauskas, said the accident occurred at Celbridge Road, Maynooth, on October 18, 2007.

It appeared the deceased man, a kitchen porter, was about three quarters of the way across the road when the accident took place.

The defendant maintained he had not seen Sigitas Kavaliauskas and it was claimed the deceased ran into the path of his car, leaving him without the option of avoiding the accident.

Mr Buckley told the judge he was recommending acceptance of the €125,000 offer.

In approving the settlement and expressing sympathy with Ms Kavaliauskas, Mr Justice John Quirke said there was a very significant liability risk involved in the case and it could have been lost.