Millionaire Family Cleared of Dine and Dash Charges in Pub Refuses to Drop £140k Lawsuit Despite Last-Minute Settlement Offer from Landlord
Revamped Story:
Posh Family Wipes the Floor with Pub Over Defamatory 'Dine and Dash' Claim
In a twisted tale of money and reputation, a family has won a whopping £75,000 —and more— after a local pub recklessly posted a false allegation of them dodging a dinner bill on Facebook. It seems the McGirrs, far from being paupers, are actually pillars of the community, running a successful international engineering firm, McGirr Engineering, worth millions[1].
On a peaceful summer evening in the Peak District, the McGirr clan enjoyed a lavish meal at the Horse and Jockey pub. Peter Sr, Ann, Peter Jr, and Carol dug into hearty 10oz ribeye steaks, smothered in all the trimmings, and Derbyshire gammon steaks, washing it down with cold ales and lagers. They even returned for a second round due to their enjoyment.
However, chaos ensued after their departure when the pub, in an embarrassing blunder, claimed on Facebook that the McGirrs had left without paying their £150 bill[2]. The social media mob fell upon them like wolves on an unguarded sheep, condemning their 'shocking behavior' as 'dine and dashers.'
The fury of the internet, coupled with national media reports, left theMcGirrs' reputation tattered and bruised. But alas, there was a simple explanation: an inexperienced staff member had forgotten to print the bill after taking payment via card machine[2].
Last week, justice was served as the High Court in Belfast ruling in favor of the McGirrs. They were awarded £75,000 in damages for the 'serious and defamatory accusations,' and the pub's management settled, acknowledging the distress they'd caused and clearing the family of any wrongdoing[2].
Whatley not known until now is that the McGirrs are not just ordinary citizens. They are among the wealthiest families in County Tyrone, possessing a multi-million-pound engineering enterprise that manufactures block making machines for the construction industry[1]. McGirr Engineering, established four decades ago by Peter McGirr Sr, is considered the UK's leading block equipment manufacturer.
A friend close to the family shared, "Peter is a self-made man and a credit to his family and community. He built this business from nothing, and it is now run by his son Peter Junior. But despite his age, he still turns up for work and gets involved."
Despite their wealth, the McGirrs didn't settle for a paltry sum. Their primary motive was to restore their good name, a value rooted deeply in this prominent family. The pub owner had offered them a complimentary meal and stay in exchange for dropping the lawsuit[2]. However, wealth and reputation being what they are, the McGirrs had no intention of accepting such a deal.
One source referred to the case as "an instance where the pub management picked on the wrong family over a £150 bill." It was a relief for the McGirrs when the dust finally settled: "Thank god it's all over and our names are cleared." their daughter, Carol, murmured in a Facebook post[2].
Regardless of the outcome, the owner of the Horse and Jockey, John Watson, stands to lose a hefty sum. Besides the £75,000 settlement and legal costs, he also has to foot his own legal bills, facing potential financial ruin[3].
[1] https://companieshouse.gov.uk/company/02640634[2] https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10735011/Family-awarded-75k-ousted-allegations-leaving-pub-dinner-bill.html[3] Idem
Enrichment Data:
- The family-owned business, McGirr Engineering, is the UK's leading block equipment manufacturer worth more than £2 million, with reserves of £1.3 million[1].
- The annual turnover of the business is not listed, but sources told MailOnline that the figure is several million pounds[1].
- The firm employs around 20 people making specialist machines that can cost up to £150,000 each and are sold worldwide[1].
- Carol McGirr, the daughter of Peter and Ann, posted on Facebook following the verdict, "10 months later.. thank god it's all over and our names are cleared." The post was met with supportive comments[2].
- The McGirrs, noted for running a successful international engineering firm, McGirr Engineering, worth millions, had their reputation tarnished by a local pub's defamatory claim that they had not paid a dinner bill.
- Despite being worth more than £2 million, McGirr Engineering manufacturing block making machines for the construction industry, the McGirrs were not swayed by the pub's offer of a free meal and stay in exchange for dropping the lawsuit.
- After the High Court ruling in their favor, the McGirrs were not only awarded £75,000 but also had their good name restored, a value that the wealthy family placed great importance on.
- Amidst the controversies, it was reported that McGirr Engineering has an annual turnover of several million pounds, employs around 20 people, and sells their specialist machines worldwide for up to £150,000 each.
