Boy who lost two fingertips settles case against creche for €70k

The boy, 3, passed out in the ambulance after his hand was caught in the creche door.

Isaac D’Alton had through his mother Louise D’Alton sued Wee Care Day Nursery Ltd which operates a creche and Montessori at Monkstown Avenue, Monkstown, Dublin. Photo: Collins Courts

A child who lost the tops of his two fingers after his hand was caught in a creche door as he lined up with his friends to go outside has settled his High Court action for €70,000.

Isaac D’Alton was three years old when the tops of his middle and ring finger of his right hand were severed in the accident. The little boy had passed out in the ambulance as he was rushed to hospital.

Isaac D’Alton, now aged 8, from Dun Laoghaire, Dublin, had through his mother Louise D’Alton sued Wee Care Day Nursery Ltd which operates a creche and Montessori at Monkstown Avenue, Monkstown, Dublin over the accident on September 8, 2015, when he was three years old.

It was claimed the child’s right hand got caught in a door leading to a traumatic crush amputation of the top of his right middle and ring fingers. 

The boy, it was claimed, was lining up with the other children to get his coat to go outside. He had his fingers in the jamb part of the door frame when it is claimed another child closed the door.

The boy was rushed to hospital where attempts were made to reattach the tops of his fingers under general anaesthetic. The attachment failed and the little boy had to attend hospital for dressings for six months afterward.

Jonathon Kilfeather, counsel for the boy, told the High Court the case was before the court for assessment of damages only and the family were happy with the offer.

Approving the settlement, Mr Justice Kevin Cross who examined the boy’s fingers said they “were not as dramatic” as it looked on paper.

The judge said it was a very good settlement and he was delighted to hear Isaac is thriving at school.