An eight-year-old girl left scarred after being bitten by her uncle’s dog has been awarded €78,000 in compensation.

The High Court heard that Katelyn Corless, from Irishtown, Claremorris, Co. Mayo, had been left with significant facial scarring following the incident in October 2015, when she was four years old.

Judge Simons said he had read the legal papers and added: ‘It was an unfortunate incident involving a dog bite, resulting in a scar.’ Katelyn had sued her uncle, James Corless, of Crimlin, Claremorris, through her father, Brendan Corless.

In the documents grounding her legal action, Brendan Corless said she had been visiting her uncle’s house with her mother, Helen Corless, for a social visit, at around 12.30pm on October 7. Judge Simons was told that James Corless’s collie sheepdog, who had been in the kitchen, attacked her as they were getting ready to leave.

It was alleged that James Corless had failed to adequately control the dog, and that he had kept a dog which he knew had an aggressive nature. It was said he had failed to muzzle the dog, and to have adequate regard for Katelyn’s safety. Before the dog was pulled off, Katelyn suffered cuts to her upper and bottom lip, under her right eye, to her scalp and behind her ear.

She was initially taken to her GP, and then referred to the accident and emergency department of University College Hospital, Galway. She was assessed and admitted under the care of a plastic surgeon, the court heard. She was given antibiotics, and her cuts were repaired. She was readmitted a week later for the stitches to be removed.

The court was told she developed a fear of dogs, which has lessened over time, and although her scarring was permanent, it had faded. Brendan Corless reported the incident to a local garda and dog warden, the court heard.

The case was settled following talks between the parties.

Katelyn’s barrister, Patrick Murphy, said the offer made by the defendant was €78,000, including expenses of just over €3,500.

Judge Simons said he did not believe that an offer to settle the case of €78,000 would be beaten if the case went to a full trial.

Acting in the girl’s best interests, he approved the offer made, and ordered that the defendant pay the legal costs of the case.