Woman fails in claim against hotel after dancefloor fall
Judge James O’Donohoe said no powder had been seen by herself or found on her clothes in the accident and that what she was engaged in given her age — 71 at the time — “was a hazardous activity in itself”.
The judge this week also awarded costs to the “well-run hotel” saying it was a commercial enterprise “in an age of austerity”.
The Gleneagle had denied using the powder which eases dancing, and said it was against the strict policy of the hotel to use any such substance on the floor.
This was “one of the best dancing floors” in the country, the court was told.
It was the first time ever the hotel where dancing on the ballroom takes place 300 nights a year had been sued for a fall on the maple floor, the hotel’s barrister Henry Downing had said.
On Saturday, November 27, 2009, at around 1.50am, Eileen Britton, from Cloncleigh, Twomileborris, Thurles, Co Tipperary, had been leaving the dance floor with her husband. It was during an event known as the Lisdoonvarna gathering, and “the feet went from under her” a witness said.
Ms Briton said she had not seen anything the floor herself but found the whole floor “slippy”.
She had not been drinking, and had later found she had fractured her left wrist in two places which impacted severely on her given she was left-handed.
She had been wearing her “3in-high heels,” these were the dancing shoes, she normally wore when dancing. She maintained the floor was unusually “slippy ” and had seen other people slipping.
Her husband said he had seen he voluntary organiser of the 30-year-old event, Albert Lawlor from Limerick was sprinkling the powder.
Mr Lawlor denied he was using the powder and said to do so would jeopardise his friendship with the Gleneagle.
Costs (estimated at up to €25,000) were also awarded against Mrs Britton.
