Balloon artist awarded €22,500 for injuries after her car was rear-ended

An award-winning balloon artist, who suffered whiplash and lower back injuries in a rear-ending crash, has been awarded more than €22,500 damages in the Circuit Civil Court.

Raquel Reynolds, aged 48, a native of Columbia who has been living in Ireland for the past 13 years, told Judge John Hannan her car had been rear-ended while stationary at traffic lights in Santry, Dublin, just under two years ago.

Justin McQuade, counsel for mother of two Ms Reynolds, said the former trained accountant had won an award for balloon art, which she now specialises in, at an international convention in Denver, Colerado, two years ago.