THE FAMILY of a mother who drowned after her car went out of control and overturned into a river has secured €120,000 arising from the incident.
The action arising from the death of 29-year-old Helen O’Dowd was brought against Cork County Council by her mother Rose, and the cash is to be paid into court for the deceased’s daughter Clara, now aged 14. Rose O’Dowd, West Street, Lismore, Co Waterford, sued over the camber of the road where the incident occurred on February 16th, 2001.
When the case came before Ms Justice Mary Irvine yesterday, Denis McCullough SC, for the council, said it had been settled with no admission of liability.
Michael Delaney SC, for Rose O’Dowd, said Helen O’Dowd was driving on the Aghern to Conna road, Co Cork, when she appeared to lose control on a bend with an adverse camber. The car went over the unguarded riverbank and into the River Bride, and Helen O’Dowd drowned.
Mr Delaney said his side’s engineer found the camber contributed to the incident. The defence denied claims of negligence.