Woman suing pub after being 'injured in rush for a ring that goes around a certain part of a man'

A mother-of-two claims she injured her ribs when she was knocked down at an Ann Summers lingerie party in a Dublin pub. Sylvia Deehan, 46, of Ballybrack, Dublin, alleges she was pushed by another woman who was trying to grab a prize, described in court "as a ring that goes around a certain part of a man", that was thrown in the air by an Ann Summers rep in The Lough Inn, Loughlinstown.

The alleged incident occurred as part of a ladies' night held in the pub prior to a performance by the Hunks of Desire male stripper troupe. Ms Deehan sued the pub owners, Loughlinstown Inn Ltd, for damages in the Dublin Circuit Court last June when the case was dismissed. Her claim was denied.



She appealed that decision to the High Court, where Mr Justice Max Barrett is hearing the matter. The court heard that prior to the strip show, Ms Deehan and a friend were taking part in a game that involved bursting balloons between their bodies. Because Ms Deehan and her friend tied for first place with another couple, having burst the greatest amount of balloons, the Ann Summers rep allegedly threw the prize up in the air between them.

Ms Deehan told her counsel, Mark De Blacam, that as she went for the prize she was shoved aside by another woman and fell against the leg of a loud speaker, injuring her ribs. She said she was unable to breathe properly and her sister took her to hospital that night. She said she spent a fortnight in bed recovering from her injuries. Under cross-examination by Joe McGettigan SC, Ms Deehan denied that she had been asked to leave the premises by a member of staff that night. When asked by Mr McGettigan if the prize was "big or small", the court erupted in laughter. The case resumes next week.