Girl awarded €35k over Quasar incident

A 12-year-old girl who suffered a laceration to her face while playing laser tag with friends at a Leisureplex has been awarded €35,000 damages in the Circuit Civil Court.

Barrister John Moher told the court that Sophia Curtis was celebrating her 11th birthday at Leisureplex Coolock, Malahide Rd, Coolock, Dublin, in June last year when the incident happened.

Mr Moher told Circuit Court president Mr Justice Raymond Groarke the birthday celebrations included Quasar, a war game played with laser guns and during which Sophia wore a protective mask.

The court heard a group of boys were in the Quasar area at the time and one of them ran into Sophia, pushing her mask into her face. Mr Moher, who appeared with solicitor Michael A O’Connor for Ms Curtis, said it was believed that a sharp edge inside the mask penetrated Sophia’s right eyebrow area.

Plasters were applied on site and Sophia had later been taken by her father, Brendan Curtis, to a VHI Swiftcare Clinic, where her laceration was sutured.

Judge Groarke was told that Sophia also suffered abrasions to her nose during the incident. Her wounds had left a small permanent scar which was noticeable at conversational distance.

Through her father Brendan, Sophia, of Waterside Crescent, Swords Rd, Malahide, Co Dublin, sued Lock Leisure Limited, which trades as Leisureplex Coolock, for negligence.

Mr Moher told the court that following an assessment by the Injuries Board, the defendant had made a €35,000 settlement offer. Judge Groarke approved the offer.