McGirr family wins £75,000 after catering scandal!

McGirr family wins £75,000 after catering scandal!

In July 2024, an incident occurred at The Horse & Jockey Inn restaurant in the Peak District, central England, which had far-reaching consequences for the McGirr family and the restaurant. The family, consisting of Peter, Ann, Peter Jr. and Carol, had dinner there and ordered grilled beef and smoked pork shoulder. After dinner they left the restaurant to return to Omagh, Northern Ireland. However, the restaurant soon posted a video clip on its official fan page accusing the family of failing to pay their £150 bill. This allegation quickly gained attention and led to media reports of alleged “money fraud” involving the McGirr family.

The family, considered one of the wealthiest in Omagh - Peter McGirr is a millionaire and owner of McGirr Engineering, estimated to be worth around £2 million - expressed outrage at the restaurant's unconfirmed claim. Beyond the media attention, the McGirr family filed a lawsuit to restore their reputation. The subsequent investigation revealed that although the bill was paid with a credit card, the restaurant staff had not correctly recorded the transaction in the POS system.

Public apology and financial compensation

After discovering the error, restaurant management publicly apologized and offered the McGirr family reparations, including a free meal and a motel stay. However, the family decided to pursue the case further. The trial, which took place in May 2025, ended with a verdict requiring the restaurant to formally apologize and pay £75,000 in compensation, as well as covering legal costs of almost £140,000. The incident also forced the restaurant to reconsider its responsibility for the accuracy of public statements and the role of social media in spreading defamatory content.

The case highlights the legal risks companies face when sharing potentially defamatory content on social media. In particular, increasing the reach of social media can have far-reaching negative effects on a person's reputation. The McGirr family, whose business, McGirr Engineering, is valued at £2 million, has faced significant reputational damage as a result of the incident. The lawsuit therefore represents not only a personal but also a business battle for reputation and trust.

In summary, the incident at The Horse & Jockey Inn and the subsequent lawsuit is an example of the importance for companies to verify information before public accusations. The restaurant's compensation award and public apology are not only a victory for the McGirr family, but also send a clear message to the business community about responsibility in the digital age.