Joshua Nevin was 17 when the accident happened six years ago as another car came out of a GAA grounds in Virginia, Co Cavan, and collided with the car in which he was a front-seat passenger.
It was claimed it was a significant collision and the car Mr Nevin was in took a number of impacts and was spun around on the road before hitting a wall on May 31, 2016.
Mr Nevin was knocked unconscious, suffering multiple injuries to his face. A CT scan later revealed air in the brain. He also had extensive facial bone and skull fractures and a significant injury to his left eye.
The teenager, who was wearing his seatbelt, was thrown about violently in his retained position, it was claimed. He remained trapped in the car for a period while the emergency services worked on extracting him, it was claimed. The car was also extensively damaged.
Mr Nevin’s counsel Finbarr Fox SC, instructed by solicitor Hugh Thornton, told the court the teen suffered very severe injuries and had to have extensive hospital treatment.
Counsel said the now 24-year-old will require care for the rest of his life even though he has made a substantial recovery.
He also said one can only be in awe of the care Mr Nevin’s family has given him and the young man has also managed to return to education.
The case was before the court for assessment of damages only as liability was admitted.
The settlement was against all parties.
Mr Nevin, of Lisduff, Virginia, Co Cavan, had sued the driver of the car in which he was travelling at the time, Shane Calvey, of Crossafehin, Virginia, Co Cavan, and the car owner Marcella Calvey, of the same address.
He also sued the driver of the car which came out of the GAA grounds, Stephen Sheridan of Ryefield, Virginia, Co Cavan.
He also sued Munterconnaught Gaelic Football Club, St Bartholemew’s Park, Ryefield, Behernagh, Virginia, the owners of the GAA grounds from where the car was exiting, and Cavan County Council.
It was claimed against the Calveys that there was a failure to employ local knowledge in relation to a concealed entrance/exit.
It was claimed against Mr Sheridan that he failed to yield right of way to the car driven by Mr Calvey. Mr Sheridan, it was also claimed, emerged from a GAA ground or car park onto the road into the path of Mr Calvey when it was unsafe and dangerous to do so.
It was claimed against Cavan County Council and the GAA club that there was a failure to ensure that proper and appropriate sight lines for motorists were maintained with respect to the exit and entrance to and from the GAA premises.
Approving the settlement, Mr Justice Paul Coffey said it was fair and reasonable and he conveyed his best wishes to Mr Nevin and his family.
