€6.8m for crash victim who suffered brain injury

A music student who suffered a devastating brain injury after her car was rear-ended on the way to a school Christmas carol service has settled her High Court action for €6.8m.

Five years after the incident, Hazel McGarrigle, who was a master’s student of the Cork School of Music, remains minimally conscious, cannot speak or walk, and needs 24-hour care. Her visual perception is also restricted and she can only follow pictures, but her hearing is intact.

Approving the €6.8m settlement, Mr Justice Sean Ryan said it was a very satisfactory settlement and praised the “heroism” of her family in the way they have looked after her.