Two young girls who were savaged by three greyhounds as they played near their home have been awarded over €200,000 in compensation in a settlement approved by the High Court.
Cora Douglas was three years and four months old when she was savaged by three greyhounds while her older sister, Scarlet, was also attacked when she tried to help on May 30th, 2004, the court heard.
Yesterday, in the High Court sitting in Cork, Mr Justice John MacMenamin approved a settlement of €157,000 to Cora Douglas and €60,000 to Scarlet Douglas made on behalf of the dogs' owner, farmer Donal O'Donovan of Derrynasaffa, Dunmanway, Co Cork.
Counsel for the two girls, Dr John O'Mahony, told how Cora was playing with some other children when they went to a nearby neighbourhood where she was attacked by the dogs.
"Three greyhounds literally savaged Cora. It was an appalling, vicious attack. The dogs bit her. She suffered 18 different wounds to her body. Literally, she was being savaged and thrown around the place like a rag doll," he said.
Cora was treated at Cork University Hospital but has been left with significant scarring about which she is secretive, Dr O'Mahony told the court.
Cora's mother, Sinead Douglas, was pregnant and due to give birth the next day. She was afraid her daughter was going to be killed but, being pregnant, she wasn't very mobile and her other daughter, Scarlet, got to the scene first. Her attempts to save her sister resulted in her also being attacked by the dogs and although her injuries weren't as bad, she did suffer scarring to her left shoulder, the court heard.
Judge MacMenamin said it was clear there had been a breach of duty by Mr O'Donovan.
