Is it double standards?

TheQuietFella

http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/courts/occupational-therapist-who-left-toddler-2-with-permanent-facial-scars-through-dangerous-driving-given-5000-fine-30847761.html

A sad case for all involved but had the victim been a female would the compensation have been higher?

A paltry sum in my view. Incredible judgment.

Pat Mustard

Regarding the civil side of things, the child will have to apply for assessment of damages to the Injuries Board and go through the necessary court procedures in order to get compensation for his injuries.

As regards the criminal side of things, the woman involved was prosecuted in the Circuit Criminal Court, fined €5,000 and disqualified from driving for four years. I think that's a stiff penalty in the circumstances.

Look at the following case of careless driving causing death where the disqualification was for five years:

In the circumstances, he believed that a suspended sentence would be a meaningless exercise. In lieu of two years in prison, he imposed an order for 240 hours of community service and disqualified Faughnan from holding a driving licence for five years.

Pro Hoc Vice

TheQuietFella wrote: »

http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/courts/occupational-therapist-who-left-toddler-2-with-permanent-facial-scars-through-dangerous-driving-given-5000-fine-30847761.html

A sad case for all involved but had the victim been a female would the compensation have been higher?

A paltry sum in my view. Incredible judgment.

Its not compensation its a fine and the person has a serious conviction plus a four year disqualification. The link has nothing to do with compensation which will be a matter for I assume in this case the High Court.

MarkAnthony

Actually seems pretty harsh IMHO.

ireland.man

The driver didn't take drink or drugs, was driving under the speed limit in an area with poor signage and poor road conditions, was properly insured, stayed at the scene and comforted and provided first aid to the victim. I feel a lot of sympathy for both the victim and driver and I can't understand what the gender of the child has to do with the conviction and fine.

IsaacWunder

Surely this was a case of careless, rather than dangerous, driving?

Careless is "driving without due care and attention"

Dangerous is "driving at a speed or driving in a manner which a prudent person would recognise as involving an unjustifiable risk of harm to the public."

Yes, she missed the signs for the junction, but that seems to be due to lack of care and attention on her behalf and not recklessness or malice. She wasn't speeding, and the manner of her driving doesn't seem to be dangerous (compared to the real nutters on the road).

Incredibly harsh, IMO.

TheQuietFella

Pro Hoc Vice wrote: »

Its not compensation its a fine and the person has a serious conviction plus a four year disqualification. The link has nothing to do with compensation which will be a matter for I assume in this case the High Court.

My mistake! I assumed when she was given four months to pay €5000 I assumed it was to the injured party!