Barmen deny pub owner assaulted girl

A number of former members of staff of the Bonny and Clyde public house in Dublin have told the High Court they had never heard…

A number of former members of staff of the Bonny and Clyde public house in Dublin have told the High Court they had never heard or seen its former owner, Mr William Bonny, make sexually suggestive comments or do anything of a sexual nature to a former lounge girl. They were giving evidence on the seventh day of an action taken by Ms Monica Reilly (22), of South Brown Street, Dublin, against Mr Bonny (52), the former owner of the Bonny and Clyde pub, Newmarket, Dublin.

Mr Bonny has denied claims by Ms Reilly that she was sexually assaulted over a period by Mr Bonny while she worked as a lounge girl at his pub.

Evidence concluded in the trial yesterday. Closing speeches will be made by the prosecution and defence today after which Mr Justice Kelly will charge the jury before it considers its verdict.

Mr Christy Boyle said he had worked as a barman in the pub from about 1990 to 1995 and now worked for Mr Bonny as a building site foreman.

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He said that while she was working in the pub, Ms Reilly had alleged to him that she had been pinched on the bottom and had had suggestive remarks made to her by one of the pub's doormen, Mr Eddie Dowdall.

Mr Boyle said he and Mr Bonny went to Mr Dowdall about the matter. Mr Boyle said he had been punched by Mr Dowdall who had said the allegation was untrue.

He said he had never heard Mr Bonny make suggestive remarks to Ms Reilly or seen him do anything of a sexual nature to her.

Mr John Lynch said he had worked as a barman in the pub from 1992 to 1994. He said Ms Reilly had told him on the night of her birthday, May 4th, 1993, that Mr Bonny was harassing her and he had told her to tell her parents.

He did not see Mr Bonny on the pub premises that night and never saw Mr Bonny do or say anything of a sexual nature to Ms Reilly.