The High Court has approved a settlement of €1.1 million in the case of a young man who suffered a traumatic brain injury in a car crash five years ago.
Cian Slevin was 16 years old when his head hit the ceiling of the car in which he was a passenger, after it went off the road and into a stream. The crash happened in Tipperary in January 2021.
Senior Counsel Patrick Treacy told the court that Cian Slevin was not wearing a seat belt at the time and suffered a head injury and multiple spinal fractures.
Now aged 22, Mr Slevin from Ardfinnan, Co Tipperary had sued the driver of the car, Feidhlim Ryder, 24, from Newcastle, Co Tipperary as a result of the crash on 27 January 2021.
In the proceedings, it was alleged there was failure to retain the car on the road surface in a safe and appropriate manner and to control the car so as to avoid the collision. It was further claimed the car was driven at excessive speed.
All of the claims were denied, and the settlement was made after mediation.
The court was told the respondents did not accept that the degree of cognitive impairment was to the extent of that claimed by the Slevin side. Mr Treacy told the court there was a "vulnerability in the case".
Approving the settlement, Mr Justice Paul Coffey said it was fair and reasonable.
