Case No. 1194Personal injury (negligence) · Co. Donegal · 7 May 2013
Girl who lost two toes in lawnmower accident settles High Court action for €415,000
Rachel McElhinney, who was three years old at the time, suffered a degloving injury and lost two toes when a lawnmower ran over her left foot at a house in Falcarragh, Co Donegal, on 7 May 2013. She spent six weeks in hospital and it was claimed her left foot was four shoe sizes smaller than her right foot. Through her father Sean McElhinney, she sued householders Mary and John Gallagher of Saint Anne's, Drumfin, Falcarragh, in the High Court. On 1 August 2025, Mr Justice Paul Coffey approved a €415,000 settlement as fair and reasonable.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court1 Aug
- Verdict
- Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- A three-year-old girl suffered a degloving injury and lost two toes when a lawnmower ran over her left foot.
- The girl spent six weeks in hospital and it was claimed her left foot was four shoe sizes smaller than her right foot.
- Where
- The accident occurred at a house in Falcarragh, Co Donegal.
- When
- The accident happened on 7 May 2013.
- Investigation
- Through her father Sean McElhinney, Rachel McElhinney sued householders Mary and John Gallagher of Saint Anne's, Drumfin, Falcarragh.
- In court
- The case was heard in the High Court.
- Mr Justice Paul Coffey approved the settlement as fair and reasonable.
- Sentence
- The settlement amount was €415,000.
- Other details
- The other side contended that the child came out of nowhere.
- Rachel McElhinney is now 16 and lives in Dunmore, Falcarragh, Co Donegal.
12 statements extracted from the articles
- whatThe girl suffered a degloving injury and lost two toes after a lawnmower ran over her left foot. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe girl was three years old at the time of the accident. (irishtimes.com)
- whatHer left foot was claimed to be four shoe sizes smaller than her right foot due to the accident. (irishtimes.com)
- whatShe lost her big toe and another toe. (irishtimes.com)
- whatShe spent six weeks in hospital. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe settlement amount was €415,000. (irishtimes.com)
- whatRachel is now 16 years old and lives in Dunmore, Falcarragh. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe accident occurred in Falcarragh, Co Donegal. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe accident happened in May 2013. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe accident occurred on 7 May 2013. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe case was heard in the High Court. (irishtimes.com)
- courtMr Justice Paul Coffey approved the settlement as fair and reasonable. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 1 Aug2025Girl who lost two toes in lawnmower accident settles High Court action for €415,000
Reports the settlement of the High Court personal injury action and the judge's approval of the terms.
victim, Rachel McElhinney, 16, female, irish (judged from name)Rachel McElhinneyaccused, John Gallagher, male, named, irish (judged from name)John Gallagheraccused, irish (judged from name)