A Co Wexford couple and their two young children were forced to abandon a two-week dream sunshine holiday because of delays in Dublin and London airports, a judge heard yesterday.
Judge Bryan MacMahon was told Aer Lingus had offered them damages of €349 each to compensate them for the trauma of hanging around Dublin, Heathrow and Gatwick airports for two days before having to abandon the holiday and return home sick and exhausted.
Tom Hogan, counsel for Leslie and Catherine Peacock and their children Karen (6) and Heather (10), said the airline had lodged €9,985 in court to settle their claim but after lost expenses and payments were deducted, the offer for general damages for a nightmare experience amounted to less than €350 each.
Judge MacMahon said the offers were not enough and refused to approve of them in the case of the two children.
"This is no minor matter," he said, after hearing Mr Hogan outline a litany of difficulties which confronted the family.
Mr Hogan said the Peacocks, of Castlehaven House, Castlemoyle, New Ross, Co Wexford, had bought a two-week holiday in Fungal, Madeira, including return Aer Lingus flights from Dublin on August 1st, 2002.
Their connecting flight to Heathrow was delayed and they had arrived there to be told the ongoing flight had already boarded. They were refused an available flight via Lisbon that evening.
Judge Mac Mahon said the offers with regard to the children were inadequate and he refused to approve them. The proceedings will now go to the Circuit Civil Court.