The High Court has approved a €240,000 settlement in an action by the widow of a Defence Forces sergeant who was killed in a road accident in Athlone four years ago. Sgt James Furey (42), a father of two, was returning home to Cork from Donegal on May 8th, 1998, when his vehicle was in collision with a camper van driven by Mr Hans Otto Suckau on the road between Roscommon and Athlone. Sgt Furey died.
Ms Theresa Furey, Ballincollig, Co Cork, initiated proceedings for damages against Mr Suckau, who denied the claims and pleaded contributory negligence by Sgt Furey.
In the High Court in July 2000, Mr Justice Ó Caoimh found that both the defendant and the deceased were negligent. He apportioned 80 per cent of the blame to Sgt Furey and 20 per cent to Mr Suckau. Ms Furey was given a decree for £49,400 damages.
That decision was successfully appealed by Ms Furey to the Supreme Court, which ordered a High Court retrial. When the case came before Mr Justice O'Higgins yesterday, he was told the matter had been settled and that the defendant consented to judgment to the sum of €240,000.