THE FAMILY OF a 22-year-old Air Corps cadet killed in a plane crash in Galway are to receive compensation from the State over his death, a court was told today.
David Jevens and 32-year-old pilot Derek Furniss were both killed when their plane came down in Cornamona, Co Galway in October 2009.
An investigation into the incident published in 2012 found the probable cause to be disorientation following loss of situational awareness, during deteriorating weather conditions.
The cadet’s family had taken a civil case against the State — which was before Galway Civil Court this morning.
A statement read to the courtroom on behalf of Defence Minister Alan Shatter said the State acknowledged Cadet Jevens bore no responsibility for the crash.
“There have been three separate investigations into this tragic accident. The Air Accident Investigation Unit of the Department of Transport conducted an inquiry and published its report on 24th January 2012. A Coroner’s Inquest was held in May 2012. The third investigation was a military Court of Inquiry which produced its report on 17th January 2013.“All of the investigations agree that Cadet Jevens bore no responsibility of any kind for the accident.
“The Defendants have admitted liability in relation to this tragic accident. The Minister for Defence wishes to again reassure the parents and siblings of the late Cadet David Jevens that he was in no way remotely to blame for the dreadful tragedy which occurred that day.”
The statement concluded:
“The Minister wishes to again express his deepest sympathy to the parents and siblings of the late Cadet Jevens, and wishes to express sincere regret for the tragic events which occurred that day leading to his death.”
Lawyers for the State confirmed the family had been awarded ‘solatium‘ compensation for mental distress.
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