A teenager who caught his hand on top of a fence along a railway line while attempting to climb over it, and later had the top of his left index finger amputated, has secured €35,000 in settlement of his High Court action.
John McDonagh (15), of Leixlip, Co Kildare, had sued Iarnród Éireann and Kildare County Council. The settlement was made without admission of liability. Michael Byrne SC, for the teenager, said the accident occurred on February 10th, 2007, while the youth was climbing over an Irish Rail fence. It was alleged the fencing was dangerous and unsafe, particularly because it was across a recognised access route. The defendants denied the claims.