Judge Urges to Mediate after Tragic Accident
Judge Urges to Mediate after Tragic Accident
BY ABIGAIL HOLT
In Ireland, following a tragic accident where two American tourists lost their lives, a High Court judge urges parties involved to consider mediation talks. This approach could offer a quicker and less adversarial resolution, providing an opportunity for all parties to engage in constructive dialogue and seek restoration amidst differing allegations. Mediation becomes a crucial step towards finding closure.
A High Court judge has urged parties involved in six actions brought by the family an American couple who died after their pony and trap plunged down a steep rocky ravine in the Gap of Dunloe, Killarney, Co Kerry, to enter mediation talks.
The cases were due to kick off at the High Court next week but the court has been asked to adjourn the trial of the actions until next October.
Kerry County Council said two of the engineers on its side would not be available to give evidence in the last two weeks in July.
Mr Justice Paul Coffey was told that there was a very significant liability issue involved and the hearing of the actions may not be completed in the two weeks allotted, but could run to four weeks.
The family of Rosalyn Joy Few (64) and her partner Normand Larose (62) have sued Kerry County Council and the pony and trap driver, Dan Casey, of Beaufort, Killarney, as a result of the accident at the beauty spot on April 9th, 2018.
Ms Few and Mr Larose of Phoenix, Arizona, who were on the second day of their holiday to Ireland, were in the first pony and trap with members of their family travelling in two other traps behind when the accident happened on the narrow mountain pass towards Kate Kearney’s Cottage.
All the claims made in each case are denied.
In the High Court on Tuesday, Mr Justice Paul Coffey, noting the complexity of the claims, said he would adjourn the trial of the actions on the express condition Kerry County Council and Mr Casey consent to mediation talks.
