The owner of convenience store has been awarded aggravated damages by Cork Circuit Court after he brought a claim against AIB for overcharging.
Awarding Mr Denis Murphy nearly €20,000, Judge James O'Donoghue said: "In the light of the recent overcharging scandal by AIB , it is timely for the court to show its disapproval."
He also said it was "regrettable that the bank had not resolved the issue at the time Mr Murphy complained.
Judge O'Donoghue said he was awarding Mr Murphy €5,000 in punitive damages "to discourage further incidents of this sort" along with €5,000 in aggravated damages.
He also found the bank had overcharged the plaintiff €9,678 and ruled it be repaid.
Mr Murphy who runs BMC Stores at 2/3 West Beach, Cobh, Co Cork told the court he was overcharged through a combination of failing to honour an agreement that he lodge cash at rate of IR17p per £100 rather than the usual 45p rate.
He also alleged he was overcharged on interest when his account was overdrawn. Both complaints span the period May 6th 1999 and August 24th 2001.
Mr Murphy had attempted to through a succession of managers at the branch, which was next door to his shop, to have the matter addressed. The bank eventually accepted there was overcharging and initially offered their customer £1,000 and later £3,000 £3,500 but he refused each offer.
Outside the court today he refused a settlement of €35,000 but afterwards said he was delighted the way he had been treated had been aired in court.