An 81-year-old financial consultant, Anthony O’Riordan, has secured a €600,000 settlement following a severe brain injury he sustained from a fall on Christmas Day 2012. The incident occurred at his sister's home in Dalkey, Co Dublin, as he attempted to enter a taxi, leading to a lengthy legal battle over the circumstances surrounding the accident.
Key Takeaways
- Anthony O’Riordan suffered a brain injury after falling on a sloped driveway.
- The incident occurred while he was leaving his sister’s house on Christmas Day.
- A settlement of €600,000 was approved by the High Court.
- The case raised questions about safety and maintenance of the driveway.
Incident Overview
On December 25, 2012, O’Riordan arrived at his sister’s house with his wife and daughter around 4 PM. After spending several hours with family, he attempted to enter a taxi parked on a driveway with a 9.5-degree slope. Witnesses reported that he “disappeared from view” as he walked around the back of the taxi, leading to his fall.
O’Riordan was found unconscious after the fall, having suffered a skull fracture and brain bleed that required surgical intervention. His counsel, Bruce Antoniotti, noted that O’Riordan has since experienced cognitive deficits as a result of the injury.
Legal Proceedings
O’Riordan, through his wife Hilda, filed a lawsuit against his relatives, Irene and Robin Hennessy, claiming negligence in ensuring his safety while he was a guest at their home. The allegations included:
- Failure to maintain the driveway, which was claimed to be slippery due to grime buildup.
- Lack of adequate safety measures to prevent accidents on the sloped surface.
Despite these claims, the defendants denied all allegations, and expert engineers testified that the driveway was safe and well-maintained. A year and a half after the incident, inspections revealed the driveway to be in pristine condition.
Settlement Approval
During the court proceedings, Mr. Justice Paul Coffey expressed concerns about the uncertainty surrounding the incident. He noted that there was no clear evidence of how O’Riordan fell, and the engineers did not criticize the slope of the driveway. Given the risks associated with further litigation, the judge deemed the settlement offer fair and reasonable.
In his remarks, Justice Coffey acknowledged the emotional toll the incident had taken on O’Riordan and his family, particularly during the holiday season, which is now marked by the memory of the accident.
Conclusion
The settlement marks the end of a challenging chapter for Anthony O’Riordan and his family, who have had to navigate the complexities of legal proceedings while coping with the aftermath of a life-altering injury. As they move forward, the case serves as a reminder of the importance of safety measures in residential settings, especially during festive gatherings.
