A couple and their baby who were mistakenly boarded up in their own home by council workmen have settled a damages claim against Dublin City Council.

The couple claimed they had been sitting in their home at 42 Eugene Street, Dublin 8, on December 14, 2010 when corrugated iron sheets were attached with six-inch nails to their front door and window.

The council workmen had rung the doorbell however the couple ignored it as they were not expecting visitors. When they heard loud hammering at their door believed they were under siege by criminals. The couple described how large corrugated iron sheets were nailed to the windows and door. The couple’s baby was crying and they shouted at the men after seeing six inch nails come through the door frame. They then described that the rooms became dark.

The couple claimed they had been medically treated for emotional distress and had left the property shortly afterwards to find a new home. They brought a personal injury claim* against Dublin City Council. Dublin City Council denied the couple’s allegations of falsely imprisoning them while they were in their home or defaming them by creating the impression they were squatters, undesirables or were being evicted.

The Judge struck out both matters when he was informed that the personal injury* claims has been settled.

*In contentious business a solicitor may not calculate fees or other charges as a percentage or proportion of any award or settlement.