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Courts

Wife of Dave Mahon settles damages claim with Irish Water

Audrey Fitzpatrick had lodged a €60,000 claim against Dublin City Council and the water utility after falling into an open shore in May 2014.

6/5/2016. Dave Mahon Court Cases Audrey Fitzpatrick RollingNews.ie RollingNews.ie

THE MOTHER OF Dean Fitzpatrick, a man killed in a knife incident involving his stepfather, Dave Mahon, today settled a damages claim against Dublin City Council and Irish Water.

Audrey Fitzpatrick alleged in proceedings in the Circuit Civil Court today that she had been injured when her foot went into an open shore on Lorcan Drive, Santry, Dublin on 29 May 2014.

Barrister Conor Kearney, who appeared with solicitor Sandra McAleer for Ms Fitzpatrick, told Judge Sinead Ni Chulachain that following talks the claim had settled and could be struck out with no further order. Details of the amount of the settlement were not disclosed in court.

Fitzpatrick, described as a home maker whose address was given as Lorcan Drive, Santry, Dublin, alleged that as she was walking on the public footpath on that road when her left foot “suddenly and without warning” went into an open water shore causing her to fall heavily to the ground.

She claimed she injured her left knee which was subsequently x-rayed at Beaumont Hospital. Bruising and tenderness of the left patella area was observed, although no bone injury was detected.

In her civil bill 47-year-old Fitzpatrick stated that due to a liver condition she had been unable to take strong painkillers. Following the fall she complained of intermittent aching in her knee and had been unable to wear high heels.

She claimed she had suffered pain and distress and discomfort which had disrupted her social, domestic and recreational life.

Fitzpatrick’s husband Dave Mahon was last week convicted of the manslaughter of his stepson Dean in May 2013. He was found not guilty of murder.

23-year-old Dean Fitzpatrick received a stab wound to the abdomen outside the apartment that his mother shared with Mahon at Burnell Square, Northern Cross.

Mahon will be sentenced on 30 May.

Read: Convicted of manslaughter, Dave Mahon told gardaí he was not built for prison

Read: Dyslexic student launches High Court action after being denied exam support