A revised settlement for sports injury compensation has been approved by a Circuit Court judge on behalf of a teenager who rejected the initial offer of compensation.

Rhian Holohan, then aged fifteen from Co. Meath, was playing a game of soccer in June 2012 when the accident occurred. The game, played between Kenstown Rovers FC and Ayrfield United, was part of the Dublin Women’s Soccer League.

Rhian was acting as goal keeper for the match and, as she dived to obstruct the ball, she gashed her knee on a piece of broken glass that was on the grass. Rhian received emergency first aid before she was taken to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda for further treatment.

In Accident and Emergency, Rhian’s knee was stitched and cleaned under local anaesthetic. The laceration was very deep, and as such Rhian had to use crutches for many months after the accident to help alleviate the pain and swelling she experienced. Now, she has a visible circular scar where the gash was.

Acting on Rhian’s behalf, her mother – Anita – made a claim for compensation against Dublin City Council, the Trustees of Airfield United FC and the Trustees of Dublin Women’s Soccer League. Each of the accused parties accepted liability for Rian’s injury.

The parties negotiated a settlement of compensation worth €22,000. However, this settlement then proceeded to the Circuit Civil Court for approval by Mr Justice Raymond Groarke as it was made on behalf of a party under the age of eighteen.

However, Judge Groarke initially refused to approve the compensation settlement, believing that it was too low considering the extent of Rhian’s injury. Negotiations recommenced, and Judge Groarke was presented with a revised settlement of €30,000. This he approved and continued to close the case.