A Co Laois engineer, who became violently ill after finding a worm in his food at a McDonalds restaurant, has been awarded €4,000 damages in the Circuit Civil Court.
Mr James Grant, of Chantiere Gate, Portlaoise, told Circuit Court President, Mr Justice Smyth, he found the worm and insect egg-like particles in his food on May 22th, 1998.
He had stopped at McDonalds in Kylemore Road, Dublin, for a meal and shortly after finding the worm it occurred to him that he may already have eaten worms.
After leaving the restaurant he began to feel ill and vomited in the nearby Texas car park. When he got home he felt unwell and was unable to eat for some time.
Mr Jack Hickey, counsel for Mr Grant, said medical reports in the case had been agreed and revealed temporary loss of appetite. Mr Grant's doctor had prescribed medicine for worms and nausea.
Mr Hickey said the doctor was satisfied Mr Grant had suffered a psychological injury as well as physical symptons. A year after the incident he was complaining of flashbacks and still found the incident distressing.
Mr Justice Smyth awarded €4,000 damages and costs against McDonalds and Avondale Foods (Craigavon) Ltd., Lurgan, which supplied food to McDonalds.
He ordered that a €2,500 lodgment by the defendants be paid out to Mr Grant in part settlement of the decree.