€1.3m for boy who lost his leg

A boy who had to have one of his legs amputated at the knee after an accident with a ride-on lawnmower in his grandparents’ garden has settled his High Court action for €1.3m

The High Court heard that Conor Dufficy was just over five years old when the accident happened as his father cut the grass with the ride-on mower.

Conor was playing in the garden. He ran out from under a high shrub and slipped as he tried to avoid the mower and his left foot went under the machine.

Senior counsel Oonagh McCrann told Mr Justice Kevin Cross the accident happened in the garden of Conor’s grandparents, Richard and Evelyn Dufficy, in Castletroy, Co Limerick.

Conor, of Cois na hAbhainn, Moate, Co Westmeath, had through his mother, Niamh Dufficy, sued Richard and Evelyn Dufficy of Ryedale House, Golf Links Rd, Castletroy, Co Limerick, as a result of the accident on May 31, 2014.

It was claimed that the boy was permitted to come in to contact with the blades of a ride on lawnmower and suffered a catastrophic injury to his left leg.

It was further claimed there was an alleged failure to take any adequate precautions for his safety while a ride-on lawnmower was being operated and that the mower had been operated in the vicinity of young children.

Ms McCrann told the court it was a tragic accident and Conor’s parents were happy with the settlement.

Conor had to be airlifted to Cork University Hospital and later had to have his left leg amputated at the knee and will in the future have to wear a prostheses, but at the moment uses a wheelchair.

Approving the settlement, Mr Justice Cross said it was a very good one and he wished Conor well for the future.