Pub ordered to pay Irish family €88,000 after false 'dine and dash' accusations
A UK pub which falsely accused an Irish family of running off and not paying £150 (€176) for their food bill has been ordered by a court to pay £75,000 (€88,000) in damages. A Facebook post from bosses at the Horse and Jockey in Tideswell, Derbyshire, condemned the behaviour of Peter and Ann McGirr who had been dining with their adult children.
The post claimed the group of four ate two £27 (€32) 10oz ribeye steaks with all the trimmings and two £15.25 (€18) Derbyshire gammon steaks, and drank real ales and lagers. The post included CCTV images and was picked up by the media and used in press reports where they were referred to as 'dine-and-dashers'.
It later emerged that the family did pay the bill in full, and a mistake by a staff member meant it was not rung through the till. At Belfast Crown Court the family from Co Tyrone sued the pub, saying they had suffered significant embarrassment and reputational damage, Mirror UK reports.
The family's barrister Peter Girvan told the court: "These articles contained serious and defamatory accusations that the plaintiffs had engaged in dishonest and criminal conduct by deliberately absconding without settling a bill of approximately £150 (€176). The allegations were entirely false. The plaintiffs had not engaged in any such conduct, and the statements made by the defendants had no factual basis."
The pub accepted there was "no basis whatsoever" for the allegations and apologised, the court heard. It agreed to pay £75,000 (€88,000) in damages as well as the family's legal costs, as part of a settlement agreement.
Reading a statement outside court, the family's solicitor, Darragh Carney, said the McGirr's had been "vindicated". He added they were "very satisfied with the settlement" as compensation for "defamation of their character".
A statement issued by the pub in July last year read: "We want to sincerely apologise to the people involved because we have now learnt that they did in fact pay for their meal. There was no dishonesty involved from our staff, it was an honest mistake but we have dismissed the member of staff responsible for the error."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
31 minutes ago
- The Irish Sun
‘Sadly missed by loving family' – Tributes pour in for cyclist killed in Kerry road crash as gardai issue appeal
A KERRY man who died in a tragic road accident just days ago has been remembered as "a wonderful man". Paddy O'Donoghue, from Goortahoonig, Killarney, was an avid 2 Paddy was a driving force behind the Ring of Kerry Cycle Credit: 2 The 78-year-old has been remembered as a "gentleman" Credit: He was one of the Sadly, the 78-year old was killed on Tuesday, June 10, after he was struck by a vehicle in Kilgarvan village. The incident occurred on the R569 between 1pm and 2pm. Read more in Irish news A Garda spokesperson said: "Gardai continue to appeal for witnesses to this incident to come forward. "Any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling in the area between 1pm and 2pm are asked to make this footage available to investigating Gardai. "Anyone with any information is asked to contact Killarney Garda Station on According to his death notice, Paddy leaves behind a "loving Most read in Irish News He is also remembered by grandchildren Niamh, Dáire, Edward, John, David, Lily Bea, Sadhbh, Sebastian, Abigail, Victoria, Anna, Amelia, Thomas, Hugh, Leonie, Patrick and Oscar. And mourning him are his brother John, sisters Margaret , Kathleen and Anna, daughters-in-law Noelle and Katie, sons-in-law Martin, Charlie, Paul, Marc and Jonathan. Paddy leaves behind a wide circle of in-laws, friends, and neighbours. Tributes have poured in for the passionate cyclist, who was hailed by mourners as a "gentleman". SAD PASSING One person said: "So sorry to learn this awful tragic news. What a gentleman. Rip Paddy." Another put in: "RIP Paddy, a wonderful man." Somebody else said: "Our sincere condolences to Brenda and family on the sad and sudden passing of Paddy. "May he rest in peace and the Lord comfort you all in this time of grief." And a fourth penned: "Our deepest condolences to Brenda and family on the very sad passing of Paddy. "Thinking of you all at this sad time. May Paddy's gentle soul rest in peace." Someone else said: "RIP Paddy, such a sad loss." Plans are underway to dedicate this year's annual Ring of Kerry cycle to the deceased man.
Irish Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Tributes pour for retired engineer who died in Kerry road accident
Tributes have been paid to this pensioner – who was one of two cyclists to die on Irish roads within 24 hours. Paddy O'Donoghue, 78, was killed when he was struck by a vehicle as he cycled in his native Co Kerry on Tuesday afternoon. Mr O'Donoghue, who was from Muckross in Killarney, lost his life in the accident near Kilgarvan at around 1.40pm. Mr O'Donoghue was a former engineer at Kerry County Council and was well known and respected in the area. Local Non-Party councillor Martin Grady, who knew Mr O'Donoghue, paid an emotional tribute to him on Wednesday. He told The Irish Mirror: 'Paddy was a true gentleman. He loved the outdoors. He was a keep fit man, enjoyed Kerry's beauty every opportunity he got. He loved hillwalking and cycling. 'I want to offer my condolences to his family and friends. 'Paddy was an engineer with Kerry County Council. The community is saddened and shocked by his passing. May he rest in peace.' And Killarney Independent Ireland councillor John O'Donohue said: 'It is terrible news. Paddy was held in very high regard by the local community.' Fianna Fail Killarney councillor Niall Kelleher said: 'I knew Paddy. He was very caring. He was a very nice man. It is very shocking new for the entire community.' His death notice on says funeral details for the father of seven will be confirmed later. It says: 'Beloved husband of Brenda and loving father of Florence, Áine, Denise, Brenda, Báirbre, Patrick and Alice. Sadly missed by his loving family, adored grandchildren Niamh, Dáire, Edward, John, David, Lily Bea, Sadhbh, Sebastian, Abigail, Victoria, Anna, Amelia, Thomas, Hugh, Leonie, Patrick and Oscar, brother John, sisters Margaret , Kathleen and Anna, daughters-in-law Noelle and Katie, sons-in-law Martin, Charlie, Paul, Marc and Jonathan, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives, neighbours and many friends. 'Paddy is pre-deceased by his parents Florence and Anna, his brother Michael and sister Lily. Funeral arrangement later.' The incident happened on the R569 road, Church Grounds in Kilgarvan, Gardaí said. Mr O'Donoghue was declared dead at the scene. Gardai say the Coroner has been informed and a post-mortem examination will take place. The road was sealed off overnight, but was reopened on Wednesday morning. Gardaí say investigations are ongoing and they have appealed for witnesses to come forward. It said in a statement: ' Any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling in the area between 1pm and 2pm are asked to make this footage available to investigating Gardaí. "Anyone with any information is asked to contact Killarney Garda Station on 064 667 1160, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station." Meanwhile, Gardaí in south west Dublin are investigating the death of a cyclist early on Wednesday. The 19-year-old died after he was struck by a van in Lucan at 7.30am. He is believed to be from the area. Gardaí said in a statement the young man died from his injuries in hospital. It said: 'Shortly after 7:30am, Gardaí were alerted after a cyclist was struck by a van at the junction of Griffeen Avenue, R136 and Balgaddy Road. 'The cyclist, a 19-year-old male, received treatment at the scene before being transported by ambulance to Tallaght Hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased. No other injuries were reported. 'Garda Forensic Collision Investigators are currently examining the scene and local traffic diversions are in place. The local coroner has been notified and arrangements will be made for a post-mortem examination.' Gardaí are appealing for witnesses to the incident to come forward. The force said: 'Road users who may have relevant camera footage (including dash-cam) and were traveling in the area at the time are asked to make this footage available to investigating Gardaí. 'Anyone with information is asked to contact Lucan Garda Station at (01) 666 7300, the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.'
Irish Examiner
2 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Tourists accused of rape in Magaluf are from Cork
Two Irish tourists accused of raping a young woman in Magaluf are from Cork, and one is well-known in sporting circles, it is understood. The alleged female victim is also Irish, it is understood. The men, who cannot currently be named for legal reasons, were arrested on suspicion of rape and appeared in court in the Majorcan capital Palma on June 5. The alleged attack allegedly occurred earlier that morning in the well-known party town of Magaluf. The accused are believed to be brothers. The Civil Guard Spanish police say the allegation is that two men met the woman and her female friend and after a few hours, invited them to continue partying in their room. 'There the victim, after consuming alcohol, began to feel unwell and fell asleep. 'When she woke up she realised she had been sexually assaulted. 'Police attended and helped the victim. "After interviewing her and carrying out a rapid investigation, they tracked down the suspected offenders and proceeded to arrest them. 'The two men were handed over to the courts,' Spanish police said. Both men have denied any wrongdoing, it is understood.
