Leann Walsh leaves the Four Courts after she was awarded almost €25,000 damages. Photo: Collins

A bar assistant who slipped in pigeon excrement at the open air restaurant in which she worked at Dublin's Heuston railway station, has been awarded almost €25,000 damages against CIÉ.

Circuit Court President, Mr Justice Raymond Groarke, heard that Leann Walsh (25) tended tables on the decking outside the Heuston Refreshment Rooms.

Barrister Karl Finnegan, counsel for Ms Walsh, told the court she had been working outdoors on May 15, 2013, when she stepped in pigeon faeces and her right leg went from under her. Mr Finnegan said she fell on her knees and back, suffering soft tissue injuries to her ankle, knees and lower back.

Gerry Ryan, counsel for CIÉ, told the court the Irish Rail Company had entered a full defence. Barrister Sarah Corcoran, for the Heuston Refreshment Rooms, said her client had denied liability.

Ms Corcoran told the court the problem of pigeons was a serious one for her client, who had asked CIÉ to deal with the matter.

Judge Groarke, awarding Ms Walsh, of Merrion Court, Blackhall Street, Dublin, €22,500 damages with special damages of €2,148, said he would make an order in favour of the restaurant against CIÉ.

He said the restaurant had tried to get CIÉ to deal with the problem but CIÉ had decided not to take appropriate steps.

Irish Independent