Traveller sues hotel for not having enough security for wedding

http://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/courts/high-court/man-injured-at-traveller-wedding-reception-loses-damages-claim-1.2218528

A man whose neck was slashed when a fight erupted at a Traveller wedding reception has lost his action for damages against the hotel where the function took place.
Thomas Connors (22), The Paddocks, Kilcock, Co Kildare, was aged 14 when he attended a cousin’s wedding at the Lumville House Hotel in the Curragh where he was attacked during a “stampede” of people trying to get out of the function room where a “free for all” broke out, the High Court was told.
He sued hotel proprietor Michael Lambe over the incident on November 27th, 2006, which he said left him with a scar on the back of his neck and led to him having nightmares for two years.
It was claimed there was a failure to prevent access to the function by unruly people or to have proper security in place. It was also claimed, because his cousin had paid a €1,000 breakage deposit, the hotel should have had security in place.
The Lambe family, who have run the hotel since 1971, denied the claims. They pleaded, while there had been trouble at one previous Traveller wedding, they had an unwritten policy not to put in security because they believed it was not required as it was a family function.....


At about 10pm, a big row broke out and everybody tried to squeeze out one door at the same time, he said. He was grabbed from behind by an unknown person while someone else slashed him with either a knife or a bottle, he said. He had to take refuge in the toilets along with others.
He also said he had been served two or three “Fat Frog” alcoholic cocktail drinks that night despite being only 14. The hotel denied that claim.
In her evidence, Lisa Lambe said she and staff had to barricade themselves into the lounge until the gardaí arrived.
In his decision, Mr Justice Kearns said it was suggested the hotel should have “geared up” for trouble because a security consultant, who gave evidence for the Connors side, had described “fracas” as being “part and parcel of Traveller weddings”.
The Lambes took the most honourable course and made no assumptions about this family who, it was assumed, were the best of people coming to enjoy the wedding, he said.
It was not his experience bouncers were required at weddings, whatever about them being required for dances going on into the small hours, the judge said.


Hotels can't win. Don't take a booking and get sued for discrimination. Take the booking, treat them like a normal wedding party and get sued for not covering the place with bouncers.