'Grossly inadequate' awards after horror crash
THE PARENTS of two young people who died along with three friends in a road crash in Quigley's Point four years ago have settled their High Court actions for €110,000 and €73,000.
Mr Justice John Quirke, who approved the settlements under the Civil Liability Act on Wednesday, said they were a "derisory token" but, as the State had fixed sums payable under the Act (at under €30,000), all he could do was approve them.
He sympathised with the families and said the amount was "grossly inadequate".
The actions were brought against Brendan Henderson (50), Seven Oaks, Waterside, Derry, who caused the crash by driving on to the wrong side of the road and colliding with the car in which the five victims, all from the Inishowen Peninsula, were travelling.
All five died at the scene.
Severe inuries
Henderson, who suffered severe injuries and is now in a wheelchair, had admitted liability.
Henderson was sentenced to four years imprisonment earlier this year after pleading guilty to dangerous driving at Cross, Quigley's Point, Co Donegal, on October 8th, 2005.
Terence and Rosemarie Peoples, The Woods, Buncrana, secured €110,000 for pain and suffering and loss of dependant arising from the death of their daughter Rochelle (22).
Samuel Ivan Steele, Three Trees, Quigley's Point, also had a settlement of €73,000 approved by Mr Justice Quirke arising from the death of his son David Steele (23) in the crash.
The other three people who died in the accident were Gavin Duffy (21), Charlene O'Connor (21) and Darren Quinn (21)
.It is understood separate legal proceedings are pending as a result of their deaths.
Barrister Declan McHugh, for both plaintiffs, said these young people had a designated driver, Mr Duffy, who was insured and was on the correct side of the road when an adult male who should have known better veered over to the wrong side of the road and was now in a wheelchair.
Shattered
The solicitor acting for parents in the case, Ciaran McLaughlin, said the Steele and Peoples families have been shattered by their children's deaths.
"The families were very upset on Wednesday because the whole circumstances of the accident were outlined to the court.
"There will never be closure - there is no such thing."
He said they could only think of what mght have been.
Mr McLaughlin is now calling on the government to change the Civil Liability Act and raise the amount payable - by Insurance companies - for mental distress for people who have lost loved ones.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Derry
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 14 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: East
