Woman brain damaged in truck crash awarded €3.1m

A New Zealand woman who was left brain damaged and almost blind after being hit by a truck in Dublin city centre was today awarded €3.1m at the High Court.

Julie Troy was in Ireland on a gap year in July 2003 when she was run over by a lorry as she cycled past the Shelbourne Hotel on Kildare Street.

In the horrific accident the 25-year-old fell under the wheels of the truck, taking its full weight across her head.

Lawyers for Miss Troy sued John O’Brien, driver of the delivery van and his employer Crossgar Poultry. They claimed that her quality of life had been destroyed.

The court was told the New Zealander has been left almost blind, her speech is poor and she is slightly paralysed down her left side and walks with a limp.

Despite all these difficulties, Miss Troy is said to be doing well in rehabilitation and even goes horse riding and swims as part of efforts to further her recovery.

The promising commerce student from Turangi, also suffered a heart attack when being treated in St James’s Hospital just hours after the accident.

Mr Justice Richard Johnson heard medical teams at St James’s performed miracles in resuscitating Miss Troy who had lost a considerable amount of blood.

Other injuries she suffered included a broken leg and fractured ribs and arm.

In the weeks that followed the accident she was transferred back to New Zealand after her condition had stabilised. She underwent a series of surgeries there.

Miss Troy now lives with her husband in Scotland who she had been dating when the tragic accident occurred.

She did not want to give evidence today, but Mr Justice Johnson approved a €3.1m award for negligence, loss of earnings and to cover the cost of huge medical bills.