The restaurant sector has hit out at a “spiraling claims culture” after the High Court awarded €20,000 in damages to a woman who banged her knee against the leg of a table while sitting down to dinner.

A €20,000 High Court damages award to a woman who banged her knee against the leg of a table while sitting down to dinner will have serious repercussions for hoteliers and restaurateurs.

John Gilligan has obtained a High Court order preventing the Judge from hearing the convicted drug dealer's appeal against his conviction for having a mobile phone in his cell from proceeding to sentencing him, should his conviction be upheld.

The Government has today decided on new judicial appointees to the Supreme, High, Circuit and District Courts.