A COUPLE’S wedding day was ruined when the ceiling of the hotel room hosting their reception suddenly collapsed on top of them and their guests, the High Court heard yesterday.
Joanne Noone claims that what was supposed to be the most important day of the lives of herself and her husband Michael was destroyed when the ceiling of the reception room of the Setanta House Hotel in Co Kildare collapsed as they were about to start their first dance.
The court heard that Mr Noone, realising a collapse was imminent, tried to get his new wife to safety but both were struck by falling timber and debris. Ms Noone, who was trapped under a large heavy timber post, claims she became dazed and confused and was convinced she was going to die.
“The ceiling was all over the floor,” she said. Guests were shouting, injured and were in shock and she saw two people with serious head injuries. Ambulances were called.
Ms Noone (33), Laragh, Maynooth, Co Kildare, was giving evidence in her action against Connotes Ltd, trading as Setanta House Hotel, Clane Road, Celbridge, Co Kildare, over injuries sustained by her following their wedding on September 26th 2003.
She claims the hotel was negligent in failing to ensure the premises was safe or properly maintained. It is also claimed the defendant allowed the room to be used when it should have known it represented a danger.
Liability has been conceded and the case is before Mr Justice Iarfhlaith O’Neill for assessment of damages only.
Brendan Watchorn SC, for Ms Noone, said the couple, shortly after the wedding meal had concluded, were getting ready for their first dance when they heard a loud cracking sound from the ceiling – which then collapsed.
The room was plunged into darkness and was covered in dust, Mr Watchorn said. Ms Noone was trapped but was freed and assisted from the room by her husband before being taken to Naas Hospital.
She was diagnosed with soft tissue injury and had pains in her neck, back and leg. She also exhibited signs of post-traumatic stress and had flashbacks, Mr Watchorn added.
While she had made a good recovery from her physical injuries, Ms Noone claims she will not fully recover from the trauma. Both she and her husband were gravely upset and distressed by the incident and were referred for counselling, the court was told.
In her evidence, Ms Noone said nobody from the hotel contacted her the day after the incident which “just made the situation worse”. She had to take three weeks off work and it took about six months before she could get involved in sports again.
The hearing resumes next week.