THE PARENTS of two young people who died along with three friends in a road crash in Co Donegal four years ago have settled their High Court actions for €110,000 and €73,000.
In approving the settlements made under the Civil Liability Act, Mr Justice John Quirke remarked that 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.
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.
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, Co Donegal, yesterday 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.
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.
Referring to the settlements made under the Civil Liability Act, Mr Justice Quirke said it was a derisory token but, because the State set the sum in such cases, he could only rule in favour of the amount concerned.
He sympathised with the families and said the amount was “grossly inadequate”.