Two brothers, who were falsely accused of stealing bacon rashers from a Dublin store, have been awarded £4,000 each in damages at Dublin Circuit Civil Court for defamation.
The court heard how Brian and Mark O'Donoghue were walking up Dublin's O'Connell Street on their way to celebrate their father's birthday when they were stopped by a garda and two security men.
Mr Jim Phillips, counsel for the brothers, who live in Bray, Co Wicklow, told the court of their embarrassment and humiliation as they were questioned about the theft and searched as members of the public passed by.
He said when it was discovered they didn't have the rashers they were taken back to the Centra Quick Stop in Lower O'Connell Street, Dublin, where it was realised and admitted they were not the men who had stolen the rashers from the store minutes earlier. The brothers sued the shop and its owner Mr Seamus Griffin.