A wealthy Northern Irish family has been awarded nearly £75,000 in damages after being falsely accused of leaving a UK pub without paying their bill.
A Night Out Turns Sour
In July 2024, Peter and Ann McGirr, along with their children Peter Jr and Carol, dined at The Horse & Jockey Inn in Derbyshire, England. They enjoyed ribeye and gammon steaks accompanied by ales and lagers, paying their £150 bill by card before returning home to Omagh, Northern Ireland. However, the pub later posted CCTV footage on Facebook, alleging the family had left without paying, leading to widespread media coverage and damage to their reputation.
The Truth Emerges
It was later revealed that the McGirrs had indeed paid their bill, but an inexperienced staff member failed to process the transaction correctly. Despite the pub’s attempts to apologize and offer compensation, the family pursued legal action to clear their name. The McGirrs, owners of McGirr Engineering, a company valued at over £2 million, felt their reputation had been unjustly tarnished.
Legal Victory
In May 2025, the McGirrs were awarded approximately £75,000 in damages and legal costs after a court hearing in Belfast. The pub admitted the allegations were baseless and issued a formal apology. Carol McGirr expressed relief on social media, stating, “10 months later… thank god it’s all over and our names are cleared.”
Lessons Learned
This case underscores the importance of verifying facts before making public accusations, especially in the age of social media where misinformation can spread rapidly. It also highlights the potential legal consequences of defamation and the value of reputation, particularly for prominent individuals and families.
