Ryanair's €25,000 offer to girl scalded on flight is inadequate, judge says

Ray Managh

An offer of €25,000 damages by Ryanair to a 12-year-old schoolgirl, who was scalded on a flight from Lourdes just over five years ago, was rejected by a judge on Wednesday as inadequate.

Barrister Darach MacNamara, who appeared in the Circuit Civil Court for Sienna Darcy, told Judge Michael Walsh that “a piping hot meal including oil and sauce,” had spilled on her left hand.

Sienna, who sued through her mother Aideen Darcy, of Oscar Square, Dublin 8, alleged in her €60,000 damages claim that a hot pasta meal had been placed before her by cabin staff on what was claimed to be an unstable extendable table.

Mr MacNamara, who appeared with Brian McGrane Solicitors, told Judge Walsh that liability was no longer an issue in the case and he was recommending that the court reject the Ryanair offer of €22,390 general damages and €2,610 special damages.

He said the accident had happened on July 12th, 2019 when Sienna, then aged seven, had been returning with her mother on a Ryanair flight from Lourdes to Dublin.

“Very hot pasta spilled on her left hand and caused her significant burns,” Mr MacNamara told the judge. “While her burns healed over time she had been psychologically impacted and there are three medical reports before the court.”

He said Sienna had to have a significant amount of counselling in the form of therapy. He told Judge Walsh that if he was happy to refuse Ryanair’s tender he felt a better offer would resolve the case.

Judge Walsh, agreeing to refuse the settlement offer, said Sienna had suffered nasty burns and pain and trauma.

Sienna’s mum Aideen told the court in an affidavit that the hot food had fallen off the table onto her daughter’s lap and she asked the court to refer to the medical report of Dylan Murray, craniofacial plastic and reconstructive surgeon, and two reports from Blanaid Gavin, consultant psychiatrist.

Ms Darcy said her daughter’s subsequent reaction to the burns and scarring of her hand had badly affected her.

“It really was a horrific experience,” Ms Darcy said.

She claimed her daughter had screamed in pain and cold water and cooling gel had been applied to the burn by Ryanair cabin staff.

Her daughter had continued to be in excruciating pain and cried for the duration of the flight. On landing at Dublin, Sienna had been taken by ambulance to Temple Street Children’s Hospital where she had been treated.

She had been required to attend hospital on numerous occasions, it was claimed.

In the absence of an increased settlement offer from Ryanair, Sienna’s claim will go forward to a full trial before another judge.