HSE liable for teenager burning house

The HSE has been held liable in damages for the burning down of a Westmeath house next door to where it had "negligently" placed a vulnerable teenager known to them for her reckless behaviour.

Mr Justice Gerard Hogan yesterday decided in a reserved High Court judgment that Teresa Ennis, whose home at 11 Percy Cottages, Magazine Rd, Athlone, was gutted by fire, was entitled to recover damages against the HSE.

Judge Hogan said that, in 2005, Jarleth Egan, a NUI Galway student, had bought and spent his summer renovating No 10 Percy Cottages as a rental investment and had leased it to Ms A, who had been an in-care resident in the HSE’s nearby Shannon Retreat at No 6 Percy Cottages.