The wife of Fianna Fail TD, Mr Ivor Callely, was ordered yesterday to pay fees of nearly £3,000 to an interior designer.
Dublin District Civil Court that Mrs Jennifer owed the money to Barmeen Interiors of Dartry for colour scheming and fixtures used in the renovation of a house at St Lawrence's Road, Clontarf, starting in February 1992.
However, Mrs Callely told the court she refused to pay all the fees because the doors sagged in the middle and a wardrobe in the master bedroom was too large.
She said the work was unsatisfactory and unprofessional and she had the doors and wardrobe car case removed.
Ms Cecelia Barry of Barmeen Interiors said the company had billed Mrs Callely for designs in two areas of the building at £500 each.
There was also a consultation fee, a bill for designs in an extension, travelling expenses and materials ordered on behalf of Mrs Callely but not used.
Judge Michael O'Leary said that the defendant could not repudiate a contract by simply walking away from it.
He said he was making the order against Mrs Callely for £2,893 "reluctantly" as the evidence and the law did not favour the defendant's contention.