Family of man who allegedly slipped on marble staircase at wedding venue settles action for €250,000

The family of a man who allegedly slipped and fell on a marble staircase at a wedding venue and who was later diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury has settled a High Court action for €250,000.

Engineer John Rooney had been attending a wedding with his wife Penny at the Ballynatray Estate, Youghal, Co Cork, when the accident happened on June 9th, 2018.

The Rooney family’s counsel, Barney Quirke SC, told the High Court Mr Rooney died two years later in 2020 and his legal action was then taken over by his widow. It then became a fatal claim in relation to a claim for loss of financial dependency.

Counsel said there were complexities in the claim and difficulties in relation to liability in the case. Mr Quirke said there was also a risk in the case of a claim of alleged contributory negligence against Mr Rooney.

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The settlement is without an admission of liability. All claims were denied.

Ms Rooney, of Westport, Co Mayo, had sued Henry Gwyn Jones, of Ballnatray Estate, Lackaroe, Youghal, Co Cork.

Mr Rooney (69) allegedly slipped and fell as he went down a marble staircase at about 10pm, striking his head and suffering catastrophic brain injuries.

In his action, he claimed there was a failure to maintain the staircase so that it did not present a falling hazard and a failure to have sufficient handrails or lighting. All the claims were denied.

Mr Rooney allegedly fell three or four steps from the bottom of the stairs, striking his head and he was knocked unconscious. He was taken to Cork University Hospital and later transferred to a Dublin hospital for specialist care.

The father of five and a grandfather was diagnosed as having suffered a traumatic brain injury with multiple fractures and he underwent two brain surgeries.

It was claimed he had suffered a catastrophic and life-changing brain injury, could not communicate and had severe cognitive impairment. He had to be cared for in a nursing home.

Mr Justice Garrett Simons approved the settlement.