A young girl who was injured when the doors of a train closed on her head has had a €25,000 settlement of compensation approved in respect of her claim for an accident on the Luas.
On 14th February 2008, six-year-old Aoife Heron from Raheny in Dublin boarded a Luas train at Connelly Street ahead of her mother Elaine and her younger sister Kate, who was being pushed in a buggy.
The family was intending to go to Jervis Street in Dublin but, as Elaine attempted to board the Luas, the doors closed on the buggy – leaving Aoife inside the train and her mother outside on the platform. The doors opened so that Elaine could remove the buggy, but as Aoife tried to exit the Luas to be with her mother, they closed once again – trapping Aoife´s head between them.
Aoife was treated at the site by an ambulance crew for a head injury, and then diagnosed by her family´s GP as having suffered a soft tissue injury and bruising. She has a small scar on her head and has developed a fear of travelling on the Luas which may need to be treated with psychotherapy.
Through her mother, Aoife made an injury compensation claim for an accident on the Luas against Veolia Transport Dublin Light Rail Ltd for negligence and breach of duty. The transport company prepared a defence against the claim, but after negotiations took place, agreed to a settlement.
At the Circuit Civil Court in Dublin, Court President Mr Justice Raymond Groarke heard that the two parties had agreed Aoife should be paid €25,000 in settlement of her injury compensation claim for an accident on the Luas. The judge approved the settlement and wished the young girl – who is now thirteen years of age – all the best for the future.