Girl awarded €5m for fatal crash injuries

A girl who was seriously injured in a head-on collision, which occurred after her mother suffered a diabetic blackout while driving…

A girl who was seriously injured in a head-on collision, which occurred after her mother suffered a diabetic blackout while driving, is to receive €5 million in settlement of her High Court action.

Sinéad Meaney was seven at the time of the crash in 2004, when the people-carrier driven by her mother Stella went on to the opposite side of the road and crashed into another car, killing its driver, Fergal Egan, Boley, Ballycullane, Co Wexford.

Mr Justice Seán Ryan was told that Sinéad, who was in the back seat, suffered a depressed skull fracture and brain damage but is now entirely mobile and attending a special secondary school.

Ms Meaney, her other daughter Aoife (10) and Mr Egan’s wife Beverly were also injured in the crash.

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Through her parents, Sinéad, now aged 16, Ballinabearna, Inistioge, Co Kilkenny, sued the nominee of the FBD Insurance Company over the injuries suffered in April 2004 at Carrickbyrne, New Ross, Co Wexford.

Her mother was later acquitted at Wexford Circuit Court on a charge of driving a vehicle in a manner that was dangerous to the public, thereby causing the death of Mr Egan.