Teens wrongly accused of golf shop theft awarded €10,000 each

Two teenagers who were wrongly accused of theft from a golf shop in Blanchardstown in Dublin, have each been awarded €10,000 damages for defamation of character.

Padraig D. Lyons, counsel for George and Emily Heather, of Green Park Lane, Dunshaughlin, Co Meath, told the Circuit Civil Court that a member of the McGuirks Golf store staff had searched their shopping bags.

Mr Lyons, who appeared with solicitor William J. Brennan, said George (13), a keen golfer, and his sister Emily (14) had been browsing in the shop on August 8th last while waiting for their mother, Susie Heather, to collect them.

He told Circuit Court president Mr Justice Raymond Groarke that the two children were in the upper level of the store when approached by a member of staff who said: “You are up to no good. I saw you put leggings in the bag.”

Mr Lyons said the staff member then searched the children’s bags which contained items that had been bought in other shops in the Blanchardstown Shopping Centre.

‘Put out’

“Not only were no items belonging to McGuirks Golf found in the bag, but the staff member took it upon himself to escort them to the door and put them out of the store,” he said.

Mr Lyons said the children, through their mother, had sued Livy Issue Limited, trading as McGuirks Golf, for defamation and had each been offered settlements of €10,000, which he was recommending to the court.

Counsel said the words spoken by the staff member suggested the children were guilty of theft and the incident, and their being accompanied to the front door, took place in full view of all the customers present in the shop.

He told Judge Groarke that both children were upset and embarrassed by what happened and that there had been no apology of any sort made to them by representatives of the store.

Judge Groarke said proposed settlements were good offers which he approved. The children were also awarded costs.