THE FAMILY of a young mother who was killed in a three-car collision has secured €250,000 in settlement of a High Court action for damages. The bulk of the settlement will go to the woman’s seven-year-old daughter.
Mihaela Ardeleanu (24) was a passenger in a car involved in a collision with two other vehicles at Fardrum, Athlone, Co Westmeath, on January 18th, 2006. Both she and the car driver died.
Ms Ardeleanu had moved from Romania to Ireland in 2001.
She had lived here with a construction worker, Stefan Sprinceana. The couple had a child, Melania, who was born in March 2002.
Mr Sprinceana, of Castle Riada Crescent, Lucan, Dublin, brought High Court proceedings arising from his partner’s death against the drivers of the other two vehicles – Frank Cullinan, Kilnamona, Ennis, Co Clare, and John Kennedy of Buttercup Avenue, Darndale, in Dublin.
Yesterday, John Peart SC, for Mr Sprinceana, said liability had been admitted by the defendants and the court was being asked to decide how the settlement was to be distributed among the deceased’s family.
Mr Peart said there had been an issue as to the standing of Mr Sprinceana to bring the proceedings under the Civil Liability Act as he was the deceased’s common law husband.
This was no longer an issue although it was his side’s belief they would have succeeded as to his client’s standing if the matter was thrashed out in court, counsel said.
While there had been an initial assessment of damages at some €447,000 based on the future needs of Melania, the child’s circumstances had since changed and a settlement of €250,000 had been agreed, counsel added.
Mr Justice John Quirke ordered €175,000 be lodged in court until Melania reaches 18 years.
He awarded another €5,400 to Melania and €5,000 each to Melania’s two uncles and her grandfather for mental stress and grief.
The remainder, some €60,000, is to go to Mr Sprinceana.