Missing Amy’s mum settles injury claim

The mother of Dean Fitzpatrick, who was killed in a stabbing incident involving his stepfather, Dave Mahon, today settled a €60,000 damages claim against Dublin City Council and Irish Water.

Audrey Fitzpatrick alleged in proceedings in the Circuit Civil Court yesterday that she was injured when her foot went into an open shore on Lorcan Drive, Santry, Dublin, on May 29, 2014.

Barrister Conor Kearney, who appeared with solicitor Sandra McAlee for Ms Fitzpatrick, told Judge Sinead Ni Chulachain that, following talks, the claim had been settled and could be struck out with no further order. Details of the amount of the settlement were not disclosed in court.

Ms Fitzpatrick, described as a home-maker whose address was given as Lorcan Drive, Santry, Dublin, alleged that, as she was walking on the public footpath on Lordan Drive, her left foot, “suddenly, and without warning”, went into an open water shore, causing her to fall heavily to the ground.

She claimed she injured her left knee, which she then had x-rayed at Beaumont Hospital. No bone injury had been detected, apart from bruising and tenderness of the left patella area.

In her civil bill, Ms Fitzpatrick, 47, stated that, due to a liver condition, she had been unable to take strong painkillers. She complained of intermittent aching in her knee.