A FAMILY secured some €500,000 yesterday in High Court proceedings related to the death of a mother of nine children in a “fearsome” road tragedy.
The woman was killed after a drunk man, driving at speed, lost control, crossed over to the wrong side of the road and crashed headlong into the family’s car, the High Court heard.
Bridget O’Reilly was aged 42 when the incident occurred in July 2002. Her oldest child was aged 14 while the youngest was three, Mr Justice John Quirke heard. The judge described her death as “an extraordinary tragedy”, and extended his sympathy to her husband and family.
Edward O’Reilly (47), Kilbarry Halting Site, Ballybeg, Waterford, had on behalf of his family sued Frank Prendergast, the driver of the other car, of Whitesbrook Park, Springfield, Tallaght, Dublin, and the Motor Insurers’ Bureau of Ireland (MIBI).
Michael Counihan, for Mr O’Reilly, said this was a tragic matter which befell a relatively young wife and mother of nine children, who died as a result of a fearsome road traffic incident.
Counsel said Mrs O’Reilly died in hospital as a result of injuries sustained when the defendant, a drunk driver, lost control, drove on to the wrong side of the road and hit a four-wheel-drive vehicle driven by Mr O’Reilly. The crash occurred at Powerstown, Co Carlow, on July 12th, 2002 and Mrs O’Reilly, described as a full-time mother and housekeeper, died in hospital some weeks later on August 14th, 2002.
Mr Counihan said the health service was prepared to provide care, but the family was a very cohesive one and Mr O’Reilly favoured the extended family looking after the children.
Payment of the settlement was withheld pending notification of Mrs O’Reilly’s relatives of the proceedings, and the matter was adjourned until July 7th.
