Cranberries star and husband ordered to pay ex-nanny €1,500
Cranberries singer Dolores O’Riordan and her husband Don Burton were today ordered to pay their former nanny €1,500.
Judge Jonathan Quirke told Dublin High Court he was satisfied some of Joy Fahy’s belongings had been mislaid before they were returned to her from the celebrity couple’s mansion in Co Limerick after her work with the family ended.
But Mr Justice Quirke ruled Miss Fahy had failed to prove her more serious allegations that Mr Burton had falsely imprisoned her and the couple had breached a contract agreed with her.
The judge said there were obvious conflicts in the testimony given by Ms O'Riordan and her husband compared to that of Miss Fahy.
But he insisted this did not mean any of the evidence had been given dishonestly.
“The fact that the witnesses have different recollections of events that occurred five years ago is not particularly surprising,” he said.
“This does not mean they are necessarily being dishonest.”
Ms Fahy, who has also worked for U2 drummer Larry Mullen and supermodel Elle MacPherson, sued the couple for breach of contract and alleged false imprisonment during her short term of employment in 1999.
She told Dublin’s High Court the clothes she left at their home had never been returned, complaints about expenses and irregular hours had been ignored and she was expected to work in difficult conditions with no transport or mobile phone.
The former nanny sought €12,700, a Cherokee Jeep and the deposit for an apartment, which she claims were promised to her if her one-year verbal contract was terminated.
Mr Justice Quirke said he would rule on the issue of costs on Friday.
On leaving the courtroom, Ms O’Riordan and Mr Burton were besieged by reporters.
Mr Burton said he was relieved the case had finished.
His wife said she now wished to get on with her life and put the court case behind her.
“It has always been behind me,” she said.
Ms Fahy, 34, hailed the judge’s ruling as a success.
“I came here with my statement, I came with my story. It was the truth and it is the truth,” she said.
“I am relieved it’s all over and sometimes the little guy can win.”
Miss Fahy said she intended to continue in her current profession despite the case.
“I am working as a nanny, I will work as a nanny,” she added.
