Man ordered to leave the witness stand over his ‘Ryanair’-style shirt

Michael O’Leary’s casual open-neck shirt style might be a good look for Ryanair, but it is a fashion faux-pas in the more formal setting of Limerick Circuit Court.

Judge James O’Donohue voiced his disapproval of open-neck shirts in his court when a Limerick architect entered the witness box yesterday.

Noel Kerley was in court to give evidence for a licence in respect of an extension to the top Limerick bar and restaurant, The Curragower on Clancy Strand.

Mr Kerly’s high-fashion arritre featured a smart navy blazer and sky blue shirt with navy piping around the collar. But no tie.

After he took the bible in his right hand he was sworn in by court registrar, Dermot Hinchy.

But as Mr Kerly was about answer, Gearoid McGann, of Sweeney McGann Solicitors, on the dimensions of the extension, Judge O’Donohue intervened.

“Do you have a neck tie?” he asked.

Mr Kerley said he had not.

Judge Donohue asked him to leave the witness box and get a neck tie, saying: “We want the right kind of dress and proper decorum here. This is not a Ryanair kind of show we are running here.”

Mr Kerley said he was sorry for not having a tie.

Mr Kerley returned some minutes later sporting a fetching navy tie with red and white diagonal stripes.

Judge O’Donohue gave a nod of approval and Mr Kerley proceeded with evidence of how the bar had undergone major renovations.

This work involved an extension to extend around two small adjacent houses.

Judge O’ Donohue granted the application.

One of the directors of The Curragower is Brian Murphy, a brother of former Munster winger Barry Murphy, who scored a try against the All Blacks at Thomond Park in 2008.