The High Court has awarded a ten-year-old Special Olympics competitor over €3 million in damages for head injuries he sustained in an a horrific road accident in 1998.
Bryan Doran, then aged four, was out walking with his family near their home at Newtowncunningham, Co Donegal, on August 10th 1998 when the group was struck by a rear wheel which became detached from a passing lorry.
Bryan was severely injured and his 15-year-old sister Denise was pronounced dead at the scene.
When ruling an award of €3.08 million in settlement of Bryan's legalaction today, Mr Justice O'Donovan hailed the beaming child as "agreat guy" who had made a "fantastic" achievement in the SpecialOlympics and wished him the best of luck when he competes in the 25metre sprint tomorrow.
Bryan, wearing an Irish tracksuit, has already won a gold medal insoftball which he proudly showed to the judge.
Mr Justice O'Donovan described the case as "a very sad one in so manyrespects" but said, Bryan, while he didn't have too much else to begrateful for, was very fortunate in his caring parents, Noreen andPeter.
He also sanctioned a €10,000 payout to meet the cost of a holiday forthe Doran family. He had Disneyland in mind after Bryan completed theSpecial Olympics and secured a "bagful of medals", the judge addedwith a smile.
The settlement was ruled on the application of Mr Edward Walsh SC, withMr Joe McGettigan SC, for Bryan, instructed by O'Gorman, Cunnigham andCompany, solicitors, of Letterkenny.
In his High Court action, brought through his father, Bryan, ofColehill, Newtowncunningham, claimed two rear wheels became detachedfrom a Mercedes truck, which was carrying a load of cement blocks, whenthe vehicle was passing Bryan and his family while they were walkingnear Newtowncunningham on the afternoon of August 10th 1998.
It was claimed a wheel struck the children and Bryan sustained severehead injuries while his sister Denise died. Bryan was rushed unconsciousto Letterkenny general hospital from where he was transferred toBeaumont Hospital in Dublin. He was discharged home in a wheelchair onSeptember 30th 1998.
Bryan sustained severe head and brain injuries and also has weakness ofhis right arm and leg. He will require ongoing care for the rest of hislife. He lives at home with his parents and four sisters and brothersand attends St Bernadette's special school in Letterkenny.