A woman who suffered a "severe mutilation" of her right hand in a shredding accident six years ago was awarded €642,099 in the High Court yesterday.
The court heard that Mary Clarke (46), Nobber, Co Westmeath, had caught her hand in a paper-shredding machine while working for wastepaper recycler Hugh Finnegan at Rahood, Nobber.
Reconstruction surgery had to be carried out due to the severity of the initial injuries and failure of some of the skin grafting. Ms Clarke developed progressive contractures of the ring and middle fingers which had to be amputated.
Mr Justice Paul Gilligan said she had been left with her right thumb and index finger and only a partially functioning right little finger and a pinch grip only.
Mr Justice Gilligan, who said the case involved an assessment of damages only, said medical evidence suggested that the wearing of a prosthesis would be purely for cosmetic purposes and would not help as regards the functioning of her hand.
The case was adjourned until October 3rd to facilitate legal argument regarding whether a stay on the award should be granted.