The video is being pointed to as an example of Ireland’s “compensation culture.”
CCTV footage of an incident in the Judge Roy Beans restaurant in Newbridge, Kildare, has been shared by the Vintners’ Federation of Ireland (VFI), who represent over 4,000 pubs across the country.
The footage appears to show a woman taking a piece of glass from beneath her jumper and putting it in her mouth, before slapping the table and pretending to choke.
The restaurant says that the woman told them the glass had been in her food and that she had eaten it.
Vivian Carroll, owner of Judge Roy Beans in Newbridge, where the footage was taken, said: “Sadly, this is typical of what I and many other publicans face on a weekly basis. It’s clear from the footage that after hiding glass in her clothes this person then deliberately places it in her mouth. She told a member of staff the glass was in her food, which was obviously not the case.
“We checked the CCTV footage and told her the entire incident had been recorded. The Gardaí were called, they took her details and she left. But if it wasn’t for security cameras I could possibly have faced a massive claim,” added Mr Carroll.
Judge Roy Beans have been supported by the VFI as well as a group called Alliance for Insurance Reform.
Peter Boland, Director of the Alliance for Insurance Reform, said: “This footage is a timely reminder of the type of personal injury incidents experienced by organisations all over Ireland and the crippling insurance costs they cause.
“Unsustainable insurance costs are now pervasive right across Irish society and threaten the ability of small businesses, charities, voluntary groups, sports and arts organisations and festivals to function or survive. Equally, incidents like this demonise legitimate claimants for whom insurance cover is intended.”
You can watch the incident for yourself below.
Clip via VFIPubs
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