Royston Brady gives evidence in assault case

Former lord mayor of Dublin Royston Brady was back in Dublin from the US yesterday to give evidence in a court case. He told the High Court he had advised the managing director of a Co Dublin hotel that a chef had a propensity for violence before a decision was made to employ that man as head chef at the hotel

Ian McGuinness, MD of the Roganstown Golf and Country Club Hotel, Swords, described Mr Brady’s testimony on the matter as “a complete lie”.

Mr Brady, who flew in to give evidence from the US where he now works, insisted yesterday he had informed Mr McGuinness, before Mr McGuinness decided to employ chef Max Usai at Roganstown, that Mr Usai had “a temper” and had been previously involved in an assault at another hotel.

Mr Brady had come all the way from the US “to make my life miserable”, Mr McGuinness said. “Mr Brady, with all due respect, does not know the meaning of the word truth.”

Both men were giving evidence in an action by Joseph Elmonem (65), financial controller of Roganstown, over injuries allegedly suffered as a result of an alleged assault by Mr Usai, Chapel Farm Copse, Lusk, Co Dublin, in Mr Elmonem’s office on March 21st, 2011.

Liable
Mr Elmonem has sued Mr Usai and the hotel operating company, Nethercross. He alleged the company is vicariously liable for Mr Usai's actions and knew or should have known of Mr Usai's allegedly violent propensity.

Mr Usai accepted the assault took place and should not have happened but he denies it was a vicious protracted assault as was claimed. The hotel denies liability and contends Mr Usai was not acting within the scope of his employment.

The court heard Mr Usai was fined at the District Court after pleading guilty to the assault.

He agreed to pay €1,000 towards Mr Elmonem’s medical bills and €1,500 general damages.

Mr Justice Daniel Herbert said he will give his decision later.