An apprentice barman has sued his former employer and a security firm for alleged false imprisonment. Mr Evan McLoughlin (19) claimed he had been "detained" in a room for two hours while being interviewed by security men.
Mr Gerry Charlton, counsel for Mr McLoughlin, St Cronan's Grove, Swords, told the Dublin Circuit Civil Court his client had been employed at Swords Manor Inn, Brackenstown Road, Swords, Co Dublin.
In December 1997 he was summoned to the manager's office and questioned by two members of a security firm.
Mr McLoughlin told Judge Liam Devally money had gone missing in the pub and he felt he was being accused of stealing it. He had never robbed anyone, but told his interviewers he had taken money to get out of the room.
He said they were aggressive and he was crying while "being grilled". He shouted at them at one stage but apologised for it. He did not feel free to leave the room at any stage. He was suspended from work.
Joint defendants North County Taverns Ltd and Nightowl Security Ltd, of Main Street, Swords, denied they had wrongfully detained Mr McLoughlin. Cameras had been installed after the pub experienced pilfering problems and stock shortages.
Witnesses for the defendants said Mr McLoughlin had been free to leave at any stage. He had started crying when three incidents relating to improper till procedure were shown to him on video. He had been suspended after the interview but not dismissed.
Judge Devally reserved judgment in the case.