Boy attacked by dog while playing hurling awarded €95,000

A boy who was attacked by a dog as he played hurling on a GAA pitch has settled his High Court action for €95,000.

Aaron Heavey- Sharpe suffered multiple lacerations to his lower legs and has been left with permanent and significant scarring after being attacked by the Alaskan Malamute, Mr Justice Paul Coffey was told.

The boy’s counsel, Gabriel Gavigan SC, instructed by solicitor Feargal White, told the court that Aaron was on the pitch when the dog ran onto the grass and attacked and bit him.

Aaron (16), of Derreens, Carragh, Co Kildare, had through his father Niall Sharpe sued the dog’s owners, Joseph and Edwina Murphy, of Donore, Naas, Co Kildare, over the attack on the Eire Óg Corra Choill hurling club pitch at Donore on January 27th, 2019.

Aaron, who was 12 at the time, was at hurling training when it was claimed the dog attacked him and bit him several times on his lower limbs.

It was claimed the dog had escaped from the Murphy premises and entered the GAA pitch. It was further claimed there was a failure to adequately control or restrain the dog and a failure to take any or any reasonable care to see that the boy or any other person would be reasonably safe near their premises or on the pitch. The court heard that liability was admitted in the case.

Surgery

Following the attack, Aaron was taken to Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital in Crumlin, where he had to have surgery under general anaesthetic on his injuries.

He had seven puncture wounds on his inner left thigh as well as large wounds and other lacerations on his right leg. He was in the hospital for two days and had to use crutches for a period afterwards.

It was claimed that the boy was traumatised by the attack. Counsel told the court Aaron had a fear of dogs for a while after the attack, but his family got a dog to help him overcome this. Counsel said Aaron had difficulty running but has since overcome this and hopes to get back to playing sport in the future.

Mr Justice Coffey said the scarring was quite significant but Aaron was a very resilient young man. The judge said he has done exceptionally well and he was satisfied the offer was fair and reasonable. He had no hesitation in approving the settlement.