Former bride weeps in court over failure to get back 'priceless' wedding flowers
At the Small Claims Court at Ennis District Court, former bride, Michelle Markey became visibly upset after telling Judge Alec Gabbett of her failed efforts to obtain the return of her wedding flowers from Co Clare woman, Charlotte Roche.
Ms Markey of Oriel Rd, Collon, Co Louth told Judge Gabbett: "My priceless flowers. I gave them away - I would have kept them if I had known I would never get my wedding flowers back."
Judge Gabbett said that "wedding flowers hold sentimental value, some people put them on their mother's graves".
He told Ms Markey: "I get that sentimentality aspect."
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Ms Markey told Judge Gabbett: "I gave away my - I'm sorry..." and momentarily began to cry before quickly recomposing herself.
In response, Judge Gabbett said: "You are okay. It is fine. Take your time. You find the whole thing upsetting because the lack of communication is the biggest issue?"
Ms Markey agreed. She said that the flowers are 'irreplaceable'.
She said: "I do have evidence to show that this is not an isolated incident and reviews on a website show that this has happened to other brides."
There was no appearance in court by Charlotte Roche of Laghtagoona, Corofin, Co Clare who agreed to provide the floral service to Ms Markey.
Ms Markey was claiming €350 for the loss of her wedding flowers and Judge Gabbett granted her a decree of €200 for the replacement of the flowers against Ms Roche.
He said: "That is the best I can do for you."
Ms Markey told Judge Gabbett that she entered a service agreement on October 9, 2023 with Ms Roche when a €50 deposit was paid to Ms Roche for drying, preserving, artwork and framing of wedding day flowers.
Ms Markey said that Ms Roche set up a new company, Lush Flower Art Ltd, in 2024.
She said that the flowers were received by Ms Roche on November 7, 2023 and Ms Markey said that she was told that 16 weeks would be allowed for the completion of the artworks.
She said that after multiple emails and texts between December 2023 and November 2024, including several requests to return the flowers, on November 23, 2024 she was informed via email by Ms Roche that she would not be progressing with the piece.
She said: "I requested a return of deposit and flowers and neither was received at this time."
Ms Markey said that Ms Roche cancelled the service over a review she had left on a weddings website.
Ms Markey said that the deposit was returned on January 4 but no return of flowers and subsequent requests for return of flowers were ignored.
Representing herself, Ms Markey told Judge Gabbett she travelled 200km to be in court in Ennis on a six-hour round trip from Co Louth "and had to organise childcare and take a day off work".
After seeing that the next Small Claims case on the list was a Kerrie Horgan vs Charlotte Roche (Bradley), Judge Gabbett remarked 'Oh dear'. There was no appearance by either party in that case and Judge Gabbett adjourned that case to September.
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