A family from County Tyrone, who were falsely accused of leaving a pub without paying, has been awarded £75,000 after successfully suing the establishment for libel.

The McGirr family, well-known in their community, took legal action after a baseless social media post by the Horse and Jockey pub in the Peak District accused them of “dine and dashing.”

The Incident at the Pub

In July of last year, Peter and Ann McGirr, along with their adult children Peter Jr. and Carol, enjoyed a hearty meal at the Horse and Jockey pub.

They ordered high-end steaks, along with drinks like ales and lagers, totaling £150.

However, after they left, the pub’s management posted CCTV images on Facebook, accusing the family of leaving without paying. The post condemned the McGirrs, claiming they had engaged in “shocking behavior.”

Despite the pub’s allegations, the McGirrs had, in fact, paid their bill.

The error came from a staff member who failed to process the payment properly.

Unfortunately, the pub’s false claims spread quickly across social media and news outlets, severely damaging the family’s reputation.

Legal Action and Compensation

The McGirrs decided to take action, suing the pub for libel, claiming the accusations were defamatory and had caused significant harm to their standing.

Last week, they won their case in the High Court in Belfast and were awarded £75,000 in damages.

The pub settled before the case went to trial, admitting the distress caused by their false accusations and clearing the family of any wrongdoing.

What wasn’t widely known until now is the McGirrs’ significant wealth.

The family runs McGirr Engineering, a highly successful company that manufactures block-making machines for the construction industry.

The business, valued at over £2 million, has cash reserves of £1.3 million.

With an international presence, McGirr Engineering employs around 20 people and generates millions in revenue.

A Reputation at Stake

Although the McGirrs are financially secure, they were deeply concerned about restoring their reputation.

A family friend explained, “They didn’t need the money. This was about clearing their name. They’re pillars of the community, and their family name is very important to them.”

The McGirrs, known for their respectability and success, felt compelled to take legal action, not for financial gain, but to rectify the damage to their reputation.

The Pub’s Apology

The Horse and Jockey pub did not deny the mistake.

Last year, they issued a public apology, blaming an “inexperienced member of staff” for the error.

They also confirmed that the family had indeed paid their bill and that the employee responsible had been dismissed.

During the court proceedings, the pub’s management reiterated their regret for the distress caused.

Moving Forward

Following the court victory, Carol McGirr shared a post on Facebook, expressing relief that their names had been cleared.

“Thank God it’s all over,” she wrote, offering advice to others to avoid paying before eating, as this could lead to similar complications.

The McGirr family’s legal battle serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of standing up for one’s name, especially when false accusations are made.

In this case, their pursuit of justice not only resulted in financial compensation but also helped to restore their honor in the community.