‘Risk assessment needed for Ann Summers parties’
Mr Tennyson was giving evidence in the continuing action by Sylvia Deehan, who has sued over injuries to her ribs allegedly suffered as a result of being shoved aside by another woman when an item, described as a ring that goes around “a certain part” of the male anatomy, was thrown into the air during an Ann Summers party at a Dublin pub.
The party was part of a ladies’ night at the pub, the highlight of which was a performance by the male strippers the “Hunks of Desire”, on January 21, 2011.
The second day of the action heard conflicting evidence from witnesses concerning the party at the Lough Inn, Loughlinstown, Co Dublin.
Ms Deehan, aged 46, Maple Avenue, Ballybrack, Dublin, has alleged she was pushed by another woman who was striving to grab a prize which was thrown in the air by an Ann Summers rep. She alleges she suffered the injuries when she fell against loudspeaker equipment after being shoved aside by the other woman.
She lost her case in the Circuit Court and has appealed to the High Court.
The case is against Loughlinstown Inn Ltd, trading as the Lough Inn Public House. It denies any liability and argues that any injuries sustained by Ms Deehan, whom it alleges was put out of the pub by a member of staff, occurred outside the bar.
Yesterday, Mr Justice Max Barrett heard evidence from staff at the bar and from people who attended the event to the effect they did not see Ms Deehan fall or notice anything unusual happening.
Dave Carraher, a DJ who was working at the pub that night, said he remembered Ms Deehan falling and colliding with the sound equipment. She fell against the speakers and injured her side and he asked her if she was okay.
Barry Tennyson, an engineer who gave technical evidence on Ms Deehan’s behalf, said it was dangerous for a prize to be thrown among a group of adults in a circulation area at a venue where alcohol is served.
Cross-examined by Joe McGettigan SC, for the pub, Mr Tennyson said he was not saying Ann Summers parties should be banned but rather a proper risk assessment should have been carried out in advance.
Shane Watters, a former barman at the Lough Inn, told Mr McGettigan he had escorted Ms Deehan off the premises that night arising from a few minor complaints made against her by staff and customers.
Ms Deehan was being “rowdy” and was asked “to keep it down”.
Niamh Kielty, the Ann Summers representative who conducted the party, said she could not remember anything out of the ordinary happening at the pub that night.
The case continues.
