Council pays out almost €1.4m for personal injury claims last year

Westmeath County Council paid out almost €1.4m for personal injury claims last year, it has emerged.

The issue was raised at the most recent meeting of Athlone Municipal District by Cllr John Dolan, who queried how many personal injury claims were made against the District in 2024 and what the cost was to the council.

He was informed that a Municipal District breakdown was not available, but the council had paid out €1,375,198 in 2024 for 75 claims that were finalised that year. These 75 claims were made over a number of years but were finalised in 2024 and the figure included legal costs, consultants' fees and settlement figures.

The council's insurers, Irish Public Bodies, deals with all claims and provides statistics on the number of cases and total costs of cases finalised in a year, but does not provide a breakdown of the settlement costs.

Cllr Dolan was also informed that Westmeath County Council received 17 public liability claims for the Athlone/Moate District in 2024 but the costs associated with claims that occurred last year are not yet available.