When the Circuit Civil Court was told that the child’s mother thought the settlement should be closer to €60,000, judge Kathryn Hutton told her the duty of the court was to protect the interests of the child and approved the €19,000 settlement. Barrister Keith O’Grady, counsel for Willow who is now aged six, told the court Ms Johnson had, since the December 2014 accident, accepted a settlement of €36,725 for her own personal injuries. In February last year the court had approved a €20,000 settlement for her son, Jude. Mr Johnson, a retired civil servant, of Alderwood Park, Salloon, Ballinamallard, Co Fermanagh, told the court he was not happy with the offer. He feared Willow’s claim might not succeed if it went to a full trial.The judge was told Willow had become very clingy and nervous after having seen her mother covered in blood.

Source: The Irish Times March 03, 2020 13:41 UTC