Boy (11) who had 'flashbacks' after cutting toe in hotel swimming pool awarded €10,000

An 11-year-old boy has been awarded €10,000 after he cut his toe in a Donegal hotel swimming pool.

The boy, who was then aged 6, was staying at the Redcastle Hotel in Inishowen with his family on August 13, 2020.

The boy suffered a laceration between his toes when he caught it on a tile at the pool.

The infant ruling case for personal damages came before Judge John Aylmer at Letterkenny Circuit Court.

Barrister for the boy, Patricia McCallum BL, told the court that following the incident the boy was treated at Dungannon Hospital in Co Tyrone.

Orthopaedic surgeon Aidan Lynch said the boy's injury had healed in four weeks but had limped for up to five months and also suffered a one-centimetre scar on his fifth toe.

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A report from psychiatrist Dr Colin O’Donnell said the boy suffered from flashbacks and avoided swimming pools.

He confirmed he was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder but that the prognosis was good.

The boy is now aged 11 years but could not attend the court as he was on holiday.

Ms McCallum said the scar was "very small" and was in a hidden area between the boy's toes.

She outlined the various levels of awards for scarring with Judge Aylmer.

She said that the dominant injury was the psychological injury caused to the boy.

Ms McCallum added that the scar was at the lowest level of the scale and that the post-traumatic stress suffered by the boy was at the lower end of the scale.

Having considered the offer, Judge Aylmer said he was happy to accept the offer of €10,000 in damages and €135 in special damages. He also awarded costs in the case.