A woman who claimed she was subjected to sexual assault on a regular basis while working at Craft Cleaners in Baggot Street, Dublin, has settled her High Court action for damages. No details were disclosed.
Karen Murphy (40), who worked as a dry cleaning operative at Craft Cleaners for 19 years, had made the complaints against Danny Hoey, the owner,
Ms Murphy, a mother of three who now lives in Wicklow, had sued Mr Hoey, of Ailesbury Road. The defendant had denied that any assaults took place or that Ms Murphy was subjected to intimidation or abuse of either a physical or sexual nature.
The case opened earlier this month but, after several hours of talks yesterday between legal teams on both sides, Mr Justice Paul Gilligan was told the matter could be struck out.
It is believed the action was settled on terms including an undisclosed sum and a confidentiality clause.
Neither Ms Murphy or Mr Hoey would comment as they left the High Court.
Ms Murphy had claimed damages for personal injuries as a result of alleged sexual assault and assault and battery allegedly perpetrated by Mr Hoey.
Ms Murphy was an impressionable girl of 14 with limited education and limited experience of the world when she began working at Craft, it was claimed.
Ms Murphy alleged Mr Hoey would frequently walk through the premises commenting that he was "feeling randy" and asking: "Who's next for a feel?"