A man who claims he was “glassed” in a Galway pub-restaurant will not have to pay money into court as security against legal costs should he lose his action for damages against the owners of the premises, a judge has ruled.
People should not be fearful of going to court solely on grounds of the “now typically very high” cost involved, Mr Justice Max Barrett said. The solution to that was “a matter of public policy”.
In refusing the security for costs order sought by the pub, Mr Justice Barrett said the “great mass of people on middling incomes” are generally fearful of going to court because of the high costs involved. “Perhaps it was ever so. That does not mean it should be so – in point of fact, it should not.”
The application before him concerned a teacher, Niall Greene (27), who is on leave of absence and living and working in Dubai. He is suing Highcross Bars, owners of the Front Door and Sonny’s Bar on High Street, Galway, over the alleged “glassing” incident in September 2013.
Mr Greene previously reached a settlement with the individual who attacked him but wished to continue his action for personal injuries against the bar owners who deny his claims.