Courts

Apology given in High Court over death of woman knocked down by refuse lorry

Ann Marie Beahan died in hospital after being hit while walking home in Inchicore, Dublin

The Beahan family counsel, Jeremy Maher SC with Michael Binchy BL, said the apology has been the most important aspect of the case for the family. Photograph: Aidan Crawley
The Beahan family counsel, Jeremy Maher SC with Michael Binchy BL, said the apology has been the most important aspect of the case for the family. Photograph: Aidan Crawley
Wed Jun 29 2022 - 17:20

An apology has been read out in the High Court to the family of a woman who was knocked down by a refuse truck on a city street and later died of her injuries.

Ann Marie Beahan was walking home from her local shops when the incident happened in Inchicore, Dublin, four years ago. She died in hospital the next day on what would have been her 65th birthday.

Green Circular Economy Unlimited Company, formerly Greyhound Recycling and Recovery Unlimited, unreservedly apologised to the Beahan family.

In the apology which was signed by the company’s chief executive, Neill Ryan, the firm also expressed its “profound regret for the circumstances which led to the sad death of their beloved wife, mother and grandmother”.

READ SOME MORE

The apology was read to the court as Ms Beahan’s husband Derek settled a High Court action over her death. Liability was admitted in the case. The terms of the settlement are confidential.

The Beahan family counsel, Jeremy Maher SC with Michael Binchy BL, said the apology has been the most important aspect of the case for the family.

He said Ms Beahan was walking back from the shops along Bulfin Road, Inchicore, when the incident happened on October 2nd, 2018.

Mr Beahan, of Bulfin Road, Inchicore, had sued the lorry owners, which at the time was Greyhound Recycling and Recovery Unlimited, with offices at Blackhall Place, Dublin.

It was claimed there was a failure to keep any or any adequate lookout for pedestrians and a failure to see Ms Beahan walking along the road before the collision.

Noting the settlement and the division of the statutory mental distress payment of €35,000, Mr Justice Paul Coffey extended his deep sympathy to Ms Beahan’s husband and family.