An eight-year old boy who suffered brain damage at birth has been awarded €13.5m by the High Court to cover care for the rest of his life.

It brings to €15.9m the total awarded to Gill Russell, making it one of the highest awards in a personal injury case.

In 2012, a 10-year-old Galway boy was awarded €11.5m after being left quadriplegic in a road accident.

Gill suffers from dyskinetic cerebral palsy and is confined to a wheelchair, arising from catastrophic injuries he suffered at birth.

The award is also groundbreaking in that money for future care and expenses has usually been awarded by the Irish courts on the assumption that the fund will gain interest when invested at an interest rate of 3pc per annum, with a built-in discount to allow for that.

Yesterday, however, Mr Justice Kevin Cross fixed the rate of return or discount in Gill's case at 1pc, which means future awards in such cases will be higher.

Gill's mother, Karen Russell, from Aghada, in Co Cork, who had pleaded with the court to award a lump sum payment for future care needs rather than await new laws on periodic payments in these cases, broke down with tears of relief after the judgment. Gill's case was adjourned two years ago with an interim payout of €1.4m in anticipation of that legislation.

At that time, the HSE and Cork University Maternity Hospital apologised as part of the part settlement.

Through his mother, Gill sued the HSE alleging negligence in the circumstances of his birth at the Erinville Hospital, Cork, on July 12, 2006.

In a statement issued through the family's solicitor after yesterday's hearing, Ms Russell said she has had to fight since her son's birth for what he was justly entitled to.

"Gill is a delightful, happy young boy who is an inspiration. I am delighted that Gill and our fight have been vindicated here today."

She said it was a matter of regret the HSE did not settle "a long time ago".

The family's solicitor, Ernest Cantillon, said it was a very significant decision.

Irish Independent