Boy left with forehead scar after falling onto metal strip settles case for €40,000

A judge has approved a €40,000 settlement offer to a boy who was left with scarring on his forehead after tripping on metal strips inserted in a pedestrian area to deter skateboarding.

Judge John O’Connor heard in the Circuit Civil Court that the metal strips were built into a decorative stone area in Blessington, Co Wicklow, to deter skaters from using it as a ramp.

The judge heard that Eoin Fairbanks, then aged three, was walking in the area in November 2012 when he tripped on one of the metal strips, fell and struck his forehead against another metal strip.

Eoin, now aged 12, sued two Dublin-based companies, Sistina Management Limited and Qualitas Property Partners Limited through his father Dean Fairbanks. Judge O’Connor heard the firms had made a settlement offer of €40,000 to the boy.

The court heard that Eoin, of Burgage Manor, Blessington, suffered a deep 3cm laceration to his forehead, which left a scar. The boy was treated in a local pharmacy before being taken to the emergency department at Tallaght Hospital, where his wound was closed using glue and steri-strips.

Michelle Synott, of Synott Lawline Solicitors, for Eoin, said that during negotiations the defendants made a settlement offer of €40,000, which was being recommended and was approved by the court. Both companies had entered full defences to the claim.