Settlement approved in case of Limerick girl who was bitten by horse at tourist attraction

THE OPERATOR of Bunratty Castle and Folk Park is to pay out €15,000 in compensation arising from an incident during which an 18-month-old toddler was bitten by a horse.

At Ennis Circuit Court, Judge Francis Comerford approved the pay out to the now seven-year-old girl who is from County Limerick.

Judge Comerford described what happened on August 25, 2019 as a "very terrifying incident" for the then toddler and said it could have been worse but for the intervention of the child’s father.

He noted that the horse bit the toddler on the wrist and elbow on her left arm during a family visit to Bunratty Folk Park. Her injuries, he added, were "not severe".

The offer of compensation was put forward by the current operators of Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, Clare County Council and its subsidiary, Shannon Heritage DAC.

Judge Comerford described the offer as a "fair offer.” The personal injury action was taken by the girl's mother on her behalf.

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Clare County Council was not involved in the operation of Bunratty Castle and Folk Park at the time of the horse bite incident and only took ownership of the tourism assets as part of a deal with the Shannon Airport Group in 2023.

Counsel for the girl, Maria Lane BL told Judge Comerford her client’s personal injury case was settled and that she was recommending the €15,000 offer which was made by the two respondents in the case.

Ms Lane said her client had the benefit of a medical report and a psychiatric assessment from consultant child and adolescent  psychiatrist, Dr Eithne Foley. 

The barrister told the court that the child was bitten by a horse and suffered two bites to her arm. 

Ms Lane said that the medical evidence shows the physical sequelae resolved very quickly and it was the psychological and psychiatric issues that led the plaintiff to be advised to attend for play therapy.

The court heard the child attended 12 sessions of play therapy “and she seems to have medically made a full recovery”.

Ms Lane said that Dr Foley reports that the child is a happy girl with no functional impairment and has fully recovered.

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Addressing the court, the barrister said the 2019 incident was “very upsetting” but she confirmed that the horse bites did not result in her client requiring stitches or sutures.

The girl was not present in court for the hearing but her mother told Judge Comerford that her daughter is aware that the bite incident happened and has said “remember I got bitten?” 

In approving the settlement, Judge Comerford said it is always better that someone makes a complete recovery though the awards are less.  He also noted that reports prepared for the court indicate the girl is doing very well socially and academically.

Judge Comerford also awarded circuit court costs to the girl and he directed that the sum of €15,000 be paid into court and held there for the benefit of the girl until she reaches the age of 18.