Roma family with blond son settles case for €60k

A Roma family whose two- year-old blond son was removed overnight from them by gardaí in what their lawyer alleged was a case of “hysterical” and “overzealous” policing has settled its High Court action for €60,000 damages.

Mr Justice Paul McDermott noted that, notwithstanding the very difficult circumstances and undoubted trauma for the child, a medical report suggested he had not suffered personal injuries as a result of his experience.

An opinion from the boy’s senior counsel concerning his claim had noted there could be difficulties proving gardaí have a duty of care in relation to “overzealous” policing in childcare matters, the judge noted. The opinion also expressed the view that it was likely to be argued any such duty could have a “chilling effect”.