A woman who was locked overnight in a public house toilet has settled her claim for damages for £4,000. Ms Marian Gahan, of Estuary Court, Swords, Dublin, had sued Guinness Ireland Group Ltd, trading as Searsons Pub, Baggot Street, Dublin, for negligence in failing to check the toilets prior to locking up. The hearing was adjourned on October 20th last year after Ms Gahan's barrister, Ms Eileen McAuley, had broken down in uncontrollable fits of laughter. On that date Judge Liam Devally was told Ms Gahan had joined some friends for a few drinks after work in Searsons Pub on March 15th, 1996. At 11.20 p.m. they all decided to leave. Ms Gahan had gone to the toilet before leaving the pub. Judge Devally heard Ms Gahan fell asleep on the toilet. At 2 a.m. she had woken up to find she had been locked in for the night.
After Ms McAuley had twice broken down laughing, Judge Devally adjourned the case. No further details were revealed to the court and a new counsel was retained by Ms Gahan. The case was struck out with no further order before Circuit Court President, Mr Justice Esmond Smyth.