THE HIGH Court has awarded €42,000 damages to a bride who claimed her wedding day was ruined after the ceiling at the hotel where the reception was taking place suddenly collapsed.
Joanne Noone claimed what was supposed to be the most important day of their lives was destroyed when, just as she and her husband were about to start their first dance, the ceiling of the reception room at the Setanta House Hotel in Celbridge gave way.
Yesterday, Mr Justice Iarfhlaith O’Neill said he was satisfied to award Ms Noone €42,350 damages against the hotel as a result of the “serious effects” of the ceiling collapse on “her emotional wellbeing”.
He found she had suffered mild post-traumatic stress disorder, which was “perfectly understandable” given the exceptional circumstances of what happened on the day of her wedding. Her marriage “did not get off to good start”, and she and her husband cancelled their honeymoon to Italy as a result of what happened.
Ms Noone (33) of Laragh, Maynooth, Co Kildare, had sued Connotes Ltd, trading as Setanta House Hotel, Clane Road, Celbridge, Co Kildare, over injuries sustained at the hotel following her wedding on September 26th, 2003. She claimed the hotel was negligent in failing to ensure the premises was safe or maintained in a proper manner.
Liability was conceded and the matter was before Mr Justice O’Neill for assessment of damages.
A number of other persons at the wedding, including the groom and the best man, have also brought proceedings.
Mr Justice O’Neill said the case was brought in relation to injuries suffered in the “most unusual of circumstances on the occasion of a marriage”. What happened was “a pretty catastrophic event” but thankfully there were no serious injuries.
Previously, Brendan Watchorn SC, for Ms Noone, said the newly-weds were getting ready for their first dance when they heard a loud cracking sound from the ceiling. The court heard Michael Noone, after realising a collapse was imminent, tried to get his wife to safety but both were struck by falling timbers and debris. Ms Noone was trapped under a large heavy timber post and claimed she was convinced she was going to die.