THE five year old son of a woman killed in a horse riding accident is the main beneficiary of a settlement of £185,000 approved in the High Court in Cork yesterday.
The father of the dead woman, Mr Frederick White, of Knockmeenagh Road, Newlands Cross, Dublin, was the plaintiff in the action for damages against Mr Michael McDonagh, of Brick Hall, Cratloe, Co Clare.
Ms Suzanne White (28) was employed at Mr McDonagh's stables eight weeks before her death on April 21st, 1994, as a part time groom and stable hand. She was directed to ride out one of the defendant's racehorses on to the public road but she was not wearing a safety helmet or using a saddle at the time.
The horse bolted and she was thrown off suffering severe injuries and was dead on admission to hospital.
Ms White lived in Co Clare with her son Stephen, now aged five, and her fiance and father of the child, Mr William Henehan. Shortly before her death Mr Henehan had secured a year's contract to work in a bar in Russia which he had to turn down because he had to look after his son.
Mr Justice Budd approved the settlement of £185,000, awarding £1,000 each to Ms White's brother and sister, and a payment of £16,300 to her parents with the remainder of the money to be lodged in court for her son.
The judge also approved Mr Henehan's purchase of a house and said an application could be, brought before the Master of the High Court for the payment of a contribution towards this.