Child awarded €41,000 after thumb caught on playground gate

A child who had the tip of his thumb amputated after he caught it on the gate of a public playground has settled his High Court action for €41,000.

Kevin Tobin was aged six when his thumb was hurt after the hinge of the playground gate closed on him when the gate was opened by another child.

Gerardine Connolly SC, for the boy, said he is now aged 11, has been left with scarring and had to have a partial amputation of the thumb tip after the accident.

The child, of Brompton Green, Castleknock, Dublin, had, through his mother Ciara Tobin, sued Fingal County Council as a result of the accident on June 26th 2012.

It was claimed the boy was at the playground at Riverwood, Clonsilla, when the hinge of the gate closed on his thumb when it was opened by another child. It was claimed there was failure to ensure the gate was in a safe condition and to ensure there was a metal stop on the gate to prevent it fully opening.

The claims were denied.

Mr Justice Kevin Cross said it was a good settlement and approved it.