Wife who lost ‘soulmate’ in crash awarded €250k

A woman was plunged into grief by the loss of her “soulmate” who was killed as he drove home on his motorbike. Yesterday, the family was awarded over €250,000 in compensation.

The case was before the High Court sitting in Cork yesterday where Mr Justice Michael Twomey expressed his condolences to Welsh-born Myfanwy Humphreys, of Behihane, Castlecove, Killarney, Co Kerry, on the untimely death of her husband Christopher Humphreys, who was 59, near his home on August 15, 2015.

Counsel John O’Mahony said there was an offer of €259,000 from the insurers for the defendant motorist, Micheál O’Mahony, of Lackeen, Blackwater, Co Kerry.

Mr Justice Twomey said he considered it a good settlement of the case and he was happy to approve the offer before the court.

In the course of outlining the background to the case, Mr O’Mahony read from the pleadings in the case: “The death of the deceased was untimely and unexpected. The plaintiff was in a state of severe shock and disbelief when she learned of the death of her husband.

“Her closest, fondest and most protective companion in her life was no longer with her. When the initial disbelief had passed and when the plaintiff realised the irreversible nature of what had occurred, she was engulfed in a deep and dark sorrow.

“The plaintiff and the deceases were true soulmates.”

Mr O’Mahony said the plaintiff’s solicitor Philip Coffey had informed the plaintiff and her three adult children of the offer.

Mr Justice Twomey said the case had been set out very clearly by the solicitor.

Mr O’Mahony said that subject to the judge’s approval, “the family are close, warm and unified family in all respects and are happy with the recommendation of the legal advis3rs”.