Woman settles case against Aer Lingus as fall 'tarnished golden years of her life'

It was claimed disembarkment was in almost total darkness and the mobile steps were at a level lower than the floor level of the plane

Deirdre Burke, 66, of Craughwell, Co Galway, had sued Aer Lingus Ltd over the incident as she was disembarking from Flight EI 611 from Amsterdam on September 22, 2019. Stock picture

A woman who fell and suffered a significant fracture to her foot as she got off an Aer Lingus flight at night has settled an action against the airline in the High Court.

Deirdre Burke was disembarking from the Amsterdam EI 611 flight which had landed at Dublin Airport eight years ago when she misplaced her foot as she stepped onto the steps which had been brought to the plane, the High Court heard.

It was claimed that it was in almost total darkness and the mobile steps were at a level lower than the floor level of the plane.

Mrs Burke, 66, of Craughwell, Co Galway, had sued Aer Lingus over the incident on September 22, 2019,

On the second day of the hearing on Wednesday, Mr Justice Paul Coffey was told the case had been settled.

At the opening of the case, Mrs Burke's counsel Damien Higgins, instructed by MacSweeney & Company Solicitors, told the court she suffered a severe fracture to her ankle in the September 2019 incident and later required open reduction surgery and to have a plate inserted. 

Counsel said that in 2021 an X-ray showed arthritis in the area and the woman continues to suffer pain. 

An expert on their side would say she has complex regional pain syndrome in her ankle, he said.

“It has tarnished the golden years of her life,” Mr Higgins told Mr Justice Paul Coffey.

He said Mrs Burke is uncertain walking and has difficulty with heavy lifting, vacuuming, bringing clothes to the washing line, and has to use a stick.

Mr Justice Paul Coffey was told that liability was not contested in the case which was before the court for assessment of damages only.