Tiernan & Co Solicitors Secure €25,000 Settlement for Girl Injured in Sandyford Playground

Eleven-Year-Old Injured in Unfinished Section of Fernhill Park Playground That Should Have Been Closed Off, Court Hears

Original article published on theirishtimes.com.

An 11-year-old girl who sustained facial injuries in a fall at Fernhill Park Playground, Sandyford, has been awarded a €25,000 settlement, successfully negotiated by Tiernan & Co Solicitors.

The case, presented in the Circuit Civil Court before Judge Jennifer O’Brien, outlined how Amelia Hodgins, then aged seven, suffered injuries to her forehead and lip after falling in an unfinished section of the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council park.

Barrister Conor Kearney, appearing with Tiernan & Co Solicitors on behalf of Amelia and her father, John Hodgins of Blackthorn Court, Sandyford, explained that the area where the accident occurred should have been sealed off to the public at the time. Despite being incomplete, the space was accessible, and Amelia tripped while running down an embankment, striking her face against a rock.

The court heard that the incident, which occurred in February 2021, resulted in grazes and minor scarring on Amelia’s face. John Hodgins, in an affidavit, emphasized that the council had failed in its duty to ensure the safety of children by allowing access to the unfinished area.

Judge O’Brien, while noting that the scarring was barely noticeable upon examination, approved the €25,000 settlement, deeming it appropriate compensation under the circumstances.

This successful outcome highlights Tiernan & Co Solicitors’ dedication to advocating for justice and fair redress for their clients, ensuring that Amelia and her family were compensated for the council’s negligence.