Girl scarred for life from creche fall awarded €55k

A five-year-old girl, who will be scarred for life after she struck her head against a wall in a creche, was awarded €55,000 damages in the Circuit Civil Court.

Counsel Robert Crowley told the court that Ruth Reilly had been left unattended at Giraffe Childcare Creche, Athlumney Wood, Johnstown, Navan, Co Meath, in October 2013 when she fell and struck her head.

Circuit Court president Mr Justice Raymond Groarke heard that Ruth, who was two years old at the time, suffered a deep laceration and had been bleeding heavily.

The court was told an ambulance was called and after her wound was dressed on site, Ruth was taken to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, Co Louth, where it was stitched.

Ruth’s mother, Angela Reilly, said the wound had left a visible and permanent scar on her daughter’s forehead, and she was very conscious of it.

Through her father Seamus Reilly, of Swan View, Dublin Road, Navan, Co Meath, Ruth sued Giraffe Childcare Ltd, with a registered address at Adamstown Avenue, Castlegate, Adamstown, Lucan, Co Dublin, for negligence.

Mr Crowley told the court that liability had been admitted by the creche.

Hearing Ruth will be scarred for life, Mr Justice Groarke yesterday refused to approve a €40,000 settlement offer by the defendant as he felt that it would not be enough to compensate her.

Judge Groarke, awarding Ruth €55,000 damages, said her scar was nasty and noticeable at a conversational distance.