A 75p pot of tea for one has cost a restaurant £3,500 in damages, plus costs. Judge Bryan McMahon was told in the Dublin Circuit Civil Court yesterday that Kylemore Bakery had agreed to pay Ms Aoife Murtagh (17), of Malahide, Co Dublin, £3,500 and costs in a "without prejudice" settlement of a defamation action.
Mr Mark De Blacam SC, counsel for Ms Murtagh, told the court that on February 26th last year the girl had been accused by cashier in the Kylemore Restaurant, O'Connell Street, Dublin, of having consumed a 75p pot of tea without paying for it.
Kylemore Bakery Ltd had lodged a denial and full defence to the proceedings and the settlement offer was presented to the court without admission of liability. The judge awarded costs against the restaurant including reserved costs and a certificate for senior counsel.