An Irish woman has been awarded €42,000 (almost £35,000) in a personal injury compensation claim after a hotel room ceiling collapsed during her wedding reception.
Joanne and Michael Noone had organised to hold the wedding reception at the Setanta House Hotel in Celbridge, County Kildare, on the 26th September, 2003. According to one article by Newstalk, it was just before the first dance when the ceiling began to collapse. As Mr Noone tried to help his new wife to safety, both of them were struck by the falling ceiling. Mrs Noone was trapped under the debris, until her new husband managed to free her and escort her from the room. After being taken to hospital, Ms Noone was diagnosed with soft tissue injury, and was complaining of neck, back and leg pains.
The court, presided over by Mr. Justice Iarfhlaith O Neill, was shown a video of the incident, which the Judge described as “a pretty catastrophic event”. Mrs Noone’s claim was that the hotel, run by Connotes Ltd, had been negligent in making sure that the premises were as safe as possible, and that it hadn’t been properly maintained. The Judge awarded the €42,000 compensation, saying that it was a blessing no-one had been seriously injured.
Her husband, the best man and four others in the wedding party also filed compensation claims, for which settlements were subsequently made with the hotel. The value of these settlements remains undisclosed. Speaking outside of the court, the couple’s solicitor, Orla Coyne, reported that:
“The bride and groom are delighted that this chapter in their lives has now been completed and they’re going to get on with their married lives”.
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