A bank official whose opinion of her local Toyota dealer was passed to the dealer by Toyota Ireland is suing for £30,000 damages for alleged breach of confidence. Judge Michael White heard in Dublin Circuit Civil Court that Ms Philomena Farrell, of Millstream Park, Tuam, had completed a questionnaire from Toyota after her last purchase.
Shortly afterwards the dealer had phoned her to say he was surprised to learn she would not recommend him to a friend for the purchase of a car and that she had such a poor opinion of him that she gave him a low grading for service.
Judge White, who had been asked to strike out the action, held that the matter should be decided by a trial judge.