Security guard awarded €20k for defamation

A SECURITY guard accused of switching off security cameras in a shopping centre to facilitate shop lifters has been awarded €20,000 damages for defamation of character.

Gerard Griffin, aged 31, of Esker Cottages, Lucan, Co Dublin, told the Circuit Civil Court an employee of Dunnes Stores had accused him of taking money to turn off the tapes.

He said he was employed by Allied Security Network Ltd, Militta Road, Kildare, to work in The Mill Centre, Clondalkin, and on August 7, 2008, had been called to a meeting with his employers.

At this he was advised that Dunnes security personnel had alleged he had been turning off tapes and was being paid to do this.

The court heard that Mr Griffin’s solicitors had written to Dunnes stating the accusation was rejected by Mr Griffin and was false. Mr Griffin’s solicitors had demanded an apology.

The court heard that Dunnes had earlier successfully applied to have Allied Security Network Ltd joined to the proceedings as a third party defendant.

Judge Joseph Mathews awarded Mr Griffin €20,000 damages against Dunnes and Allied Security.

He said he had heard evidence of the accusation, which the court held to be false, having been made originally by a woman whose children had previously been barred from The Mill Centre by Mr Griffin.

The judge said Mr Griffin had been and still was a man of impeccable character.