Donegal Car Crash Compensation

27th November 2009

 

The families of those who were killed in a crash in Donegal in 2005 have been awarded over 200,000 euros each by the Irish High Court. 

 

The 5 young people who were killed in the fatal accident were called Charlene O'Connor, Gavin Duffy, David Steele, Darren Quinn, and Rochelle Peoples. A man named Brendan Henderson from Severn Oaks in Londonderry is serving a four-year prison sentence after being convicted of dangerous driving. He was left in a wheelchair after the accident. 

 

Gavin Duffy’s mother is happy to receive the compensation but feels the law should be changed to make it easier for families like hers to claim compensation in future. When someone dies in an accident, it is the family’s right to claim compensation. It is often referred to as “tear money.” Although the money cannot bring the deceased family member back, it can compensate for the trauma caused and cover lost earnings and expenses incurred as a result.

 

Annette Duffy was told however that her claim could be affected however because she hadn’t visited a doctor. Duffy stated that the compensation was an entitlement however and doctor’s notes to show proof of trauma should therefore be unnecessary and the law should be changed accordingly. Her family were awarded 205,000 euros by the Irish High Court. 

 

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