A MAN who was flung violently against a wall in a pub by a doorman twice his size has been awarded damages for assault and defamation of character.
Peter Maguire, Moneystown, Co Wicklow, told the Circuit Civil Court yesterday that the doorman had accidentally punched him in the shoulder while throwing a punch at another customer.
Earlier the “big, broad and black” doorman had abruptly pulled a bar stool from under a woman sitting at the bar. Later he had placed a hand on Mr Maguire’s back, said “come with me” and pushed him towards the door.
He said that as the doorman led him towards the street, the man flung him against a wall. Mr Maguire, a freelance journalist and college tutor, said a number of friends had drinks in Hogan’s Pub, South Great George’s Street, Dublin, on March 4th, 2006, to mark a friend’s birthday.
During the evening, the doorman had acted “carelessly and violently” with customers and he had reported his behaviour to the manager, who showed little interest. Within minutes the doorman asked him to leave.
Mr Justice Matthew Deery said Mr Maguire had been assaulted and defamed. Anyone looking on would have concluded he was being ejected for having done something wrong.
He awarded him €9,000 damages and costs against Telfer Ltd, which trades as Hogan’s.