Pubco sued after umbrella falls on customer

Despite a judge reportedly being ‘unimpressed’ by the customer’s injury claims, a man succeeded in his case against Irish pub The Carpenter Pub, Carpenterstown Road, Castleknock, Dublin.

A golf umbrella fell on the customer after reportedly falling through an upper mezzanine area in the garden in 2013, for which he visited a GP. The customer claimed in court last month he was still experiencing pain from the incident.

The judge in the case concluded there was a design fault in the balcony, and despite his reservations about events convicted Alpine Taverns Ltd convicted of negligence, and ordered the pubco to pay the customer €2,500 damages.

Dispute

A dispute in the case arose as the defendants denied liability, and claimed the employees of the pub were unaware of the incident until legal proceeding began.

But the customer claimed a barman came down to the lower area of the garden and picked up the umbrella.

The case could act as a warning sign for licensees to ensure there are no design faults in garden fittings which could lead to injuries.

The Irish Times, ​which was at the case, reported Juge Groarke’s verdict​: “I am unimpressed with Mr Edgar’s account of his injuries and I am awarding him €2,500 damages with District Court costs with a certificate for counsel.”