A schoolboy, who scalded one of his hands in a McDonald's hand-washer, has been awarded £5,635 damages in the Circuit Civil Court. Gary Toner, of Clondalkin, Dublin, had sued Pantry Franchise Ireland Ltd, trading as McDonald's Restaurant, Lower O'Connell Street.
His counsel, Mr Alistair Rutherdale, told Circuit Court President Mr Justice Esmond Smyth that in October 1996 the boy went to wash his hands in the toilets area. On placing his hands in a wall-mounted automatic hand-washer, "Gary was subjected to a stream of scalding water and burned one of his hands". Mr Rutherdale said the defendants had made a settlement offer of £5,635 and he was recommending it for the court's approval.