A Dublin family who alleged that a Munster rugby player forced his way into the hotel room where they were staying have settled their High Court action on undisclosed terms. The settlement is without admission of liability.
Thomas McGlynn and wife Janet, of Hampton Green, Navan Road, had claimed Danny Barnes, now of the Munster rugby senior squad but then an 18-year-old member with the under-20 squad, had assaulted them when they were staying at White's Hotel in Wexford on August 17th, 2008.
The couple and their son Karl had sued Mr Barnes, of Ardrahan, Ardfert, Co Kerry, his employers Munster Rugby, Musgrave Park, Ballyphehane, Co Cork, and White’s Hotel Ltd, Wexford, Co Wexford, for alleged negligence and assault.
The defendants denied the allegations. Yesterday, on the second day of the case, Mr Justice Seán Ryan was told by Mel Christle, for the family, all the cases were resolved and could be struck out. Mr Justice Ryan welcomed the resolution.
Earlier, Mr McGlynn told the court that he, his wife and two children were asleep in their bedroom while spending a weekend at White’s Hotel. At about 2am he heard someone knocking on the hotel room door. When his wife went to open it, he said Mr Barnes tried to force his way into their bedroom. Mr Barnes aggressively forced his way into the room and assaulted them. “My children were hysterical and screaming,” he said.
After entering the room, Mr Barnes started swinging at him and he hit Mr Barnes with a “defensive punch” which floored him. He dragged Mr Barnes to the hotel corridor and hotel staff and gardaí arrived. His family were so distressed a doctor had to be called.
In his defence, Mr Barnes had denied assaulting anyone and said he went to the wrong room on the wrong floor.
He started knocking on what he thought was his bedroom door after his key card did not work. When the door opened he walked into the room, but when he saw Ms McGlynn he stepped back and was then struck by her husband.