Boy, 11, awarded €1 million after leg amputated

A BOY who had his left leg amputated below the knee when a wall crashed down on top of him was yesterday awarded over €1 million.

Seán Bresnihan, aged 7 at the time, was standing beside a wall at Rockhill Cross, Charleville, Co Cork, with his child minder when a two-car collision resulted in damage to the wall on September 13, 2007.

Now 11, he was at the High Court in Cork with his mother, Triona, of Gortroe, Castletown, Kilmallock, Co Limerick.

John O’Mahony, counsel for the plaintiff, asked Mr Justice Eamon De Valera to approve a settlement offer in the case of €1,050,000. He said the boy’s legal representatives were recommending approval of the offer.

The judge said he was happy to approve the figure saying that the boy’s lawyers did very well for him. Most of the award will be lodged in court until Seán Bresnihan reaches the age of 18.

Mr O’Mahony said the boy’s ambition was to be an accountant and said he was very good academically. He said it was fortunate the career he hoped to pursue would not be hindered by having a prosthesis.

The judge said: “He might not have as much fun being an accountant as being a fireman but he will make a lot more money.”

Describing the day of the crash, his counsel said: “He was with the minder standing near a church when there was a car crash. The wall fell on both of his lower limbs. The area below the left lower knee could not be saved.”

While the boy suffered fractures to both legs, the injury to his left leg was by far the more severe, as a result of which he had to undergo a below knee amputation of tibia and fibula.

The legal action was taken against the drivers of the two cars involved, Jonathan Hickey, Drewscourt, Ballyagran, Co Limerick, and Harry Lawlor, Newtown Lodge, Ballylow, Mallow. The third defendant was Whelan Limestone Quarries, Ennis, Co Clare, who were doing road works in the area at the time.