A child in Ireland has been awarded €10,000 in damages after suffering post-traumatic stress when a bicyle fell 14 feet to land on the floor in front of her in a County Dublin toy shop.

Katie Campbell, now aged six, was two years old when the incident happened in October 2007 at the Smyths Toys at the Airside Retail Park, Swords, reports the website Breakingews.ie.

The toddler, visiting the store with her father John Campbell of County Meath, a social worker, narrowly avoided being injured in the incident, but barrister David Staunton told the Civil Circuit Court that afterwards she became anxious and also had nightmares.

He added that Katie’s GP had referred the youngster to a consultant child psychologist, Mr Andrew Conway, who diagnosed her with mild post-traumatic stress syndrome, based on symptoms including a hypersentive reaction to noises including thunder and the backfiring of cars, as well as the fact that she appeared unwilling to interact with other children.

As a result, he concluded that Katie’s emotional, social and behavioral development had suffered due to the incident.

Judge Matthew Deery, presiding over the court, approved an offer of €10,000 in settlement from Smyths Toys Ltd.