Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Sam Boal

Student awarded €10.5k after being 'humiliated' when security guards broke into toilet cubicle

Daniel Masterson denied smoking or taking drugs in the toilet.

A 22-YEAR-OLD CO Cavan student, who claimed he was “humiliated and degraded” when security men broke into a toilet cubicle he was using in Heuston Train Station, Dublin, has won damages in the Circuit Civil Court.

Daniel Masterson told Judge Jacqueline Linnane his trousers were around his ankles and his genitals were exposed as he tried to protect his privacy after security guards pushed in the door and accused him of smoking and drug taking.

Barrister Tom Horan, who appeared with solicitors D’Arcy Horan for Masterson, told the court the then 19-year-old had been defamed and had his privacy breached in the incident on 24 April, 2013.

Masterson, of Latsey, Canningstown, Cootehill, and a student at Cavan Technical Institute, said he had been at the train station to see off his brother Shane, and had gone to the rest room to use the toilet.

As he was sitting on the toilet bowl the door, which he had locked, had been pushed in on him and up to five security men accused him of smoking and taking heroin, which he said he has never done in his life. They ushered him out of the station.

“I wasn’t given a chance to make myself decent. My trousers and underpants were down and my genitals were on show,” he told Horan.

‘Abused and violated’

He said one of the security team shouted: ‘Fucking drugs, fucking drugs’ after they had burst open the door. Masterson denied he had been smoking and said he had never taken drugs in his life. He said he felt abused and violated.

Defendants STT Risk Management and STT Corporate Security Limited called security guard Igoris Kozlovas to give evidence. He told the court he and a colleague had opened the toilet door when they had seen smoke rising from the cubicle.

“The man inside was in his 40s or 50s,” Kozlovas said. “I have never seen the man before the court in my life before. It wasn’t him. It wasn’t him.”

Judge Linnane, who heard there had been several hours difference between the time Masterson said he had been defamed and the incident involving Kozlovas, said the defence case – that Masterson’s claim was a fabrication – had “evaporated” in the witness box when Kozlovas was called.

She awarded Masterson €10,500 in damages and his legal costs.

Read: Think taking hands-free calls while driving is safe? Think again

Read: The PSNI has delayed a statement about IRA spy “Stakeknife”

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Author
View 48 comments
Close
48 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Del Haven
    Favourite Del Haven
    Report
    Aug 23rd 2016, 8:40 PM

    Mrs Hickey had 10 cops at her room at 6am and because of that panicked. Due to this panic she told the police her husband had left the country. Something not quite right there,as if she knew he was guilty of something. Ah no, I’ve posted this in the wrong comment section.

    297
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paddy Ryan
    Favourite Paddy Ryan
    Report
    Aug 23rd 2016, 9:02 PM

    In fairness most Irish women would probably say the same if 10 strapping Brazilian cops showed up to their door at six in the morning …. Just saying….

    137
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Del Haven
    Favourite Del Haven
    Report
    Aug 23rd 2016, 9:56 PM

    Those emails are not good news for our jailbird

    86
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Grumpeee Oldman
    Favourite Grumpeee Oldman
    Report
    Aug 23rd 2016, 10:19 PM

    Shed loads well dodgy here… Are we supposed to believe any of this. good luck where they are.. Different country over there. …… No one would jump from a balcony!

    24
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Cheeky Bums
    Favourite Cheeky Bums
    Report
    Aug 23rd 2016, 8:23 PM

    Natural selection at it’s best.

    111
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute sparky
    Favourite sparky
    Report
    Aug 23rd 2016, 8:38 PM

    Rio police press conference going on where can we see it.

    71
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute PJH
    Favourite PJH
    Report
    Aug 23rd 2016, 8:39 PM

    In other news, the sky is blue

    58
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jamie McCormack
    Favourite Jamie McCormack
    Report
    Aug 23rd 2016, 10:42 PM

    Brilliant avatar. Love the Robin.

    23
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Diana M.
    Favourite Diana M.
    Report
    Aug 23rd 2016, 8:21 PM

    Well there’s a shocker.

    51
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mr. O'Shaughnessy
    Favourite Mr. O'Shaughnessy
    Report
    Aug 23rd 2016, 8:24 PM

    The world certainly won’t be at a loss with less of these morons.

    50
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Fahey
    Favourite Paul Fahey
    Report
    Aug 23rd 2016, 8:36 PM

    Their family and friends would disagree.

    77
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Clark Griswold
    Favourite Clark Griswold
    Report
    Aug 23rd 2016, 8:44 PM

    Friends wouldn’t let them do it!

    56
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Harry Whitehead
    Favourite Harry Whitehead
    Report
    Aug 23rd 2016, 10:22 PM

    I see they allow you access to the internet Mr Hickey…

    32
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Team Tariq
    Favourite Team Tariq
    Report
    Aug 23rd 2016, 8:38 PM

    Skinhead tattooed EDL / Britain First and Identity Ireland types,always ruining the holiday for everyone else.

    31
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paddy Ryan
    Favourite Paddy Ryan
    Report
    Aug 23rd 2016, 8:53 PM

    At least these guys only take themselves out though… Unlike some eh Tariq.. *ahem* Nice , Sousse…..

    39
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Team Tariq
    Favourite Team Tariq
    Report
    Aug 23rd 2016, 8:57 PM

    Muslims don’t eat pork or drink alcohol gerard,you’re thinking of the artery-clogged,balding and fat-bellied native European who we are out-breeding due to our superior health.

    13
    See 3 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dave Smith
    Favourite Dave Smith
    Report
    Aug 23rd 2016, 8:57 PM

    in fairness Muslims are ruining France’s tourism. Beirut used to be known as the Paris of the middle east, now Paris is the Beriut of Europe.

    79
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paddy Ryan
    Favourite Paddy Ryan
    Report
    Aug 23rd 2016, 8:59 PM
    26
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute George Brown
    Favourite George Brown
    Report
    Aug 23rd 2016, 9:09 PM

    @Tariq: Look up the healthiest countries in the world. The west kicks ass, regardless of all the fatties that hold us back. And the “superior health” of Muslims? Healthy lifestyles aren’t common in typical Islamic countries.

    50
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Diana M.
    Favourite Diana M.
    Report
    Aug 23rd 2016, 8:46 PM

    I’m so glad someone funded a study for this.

    30
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute George Brown
    Favourite George Brown
    Report
    Aug 23rd 2016, 9:00 PM

    The studies on the demographics of violent crime in Spain are more interesting and useful. At least these Limeys don’t intend any harm.

    18
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dotrice Altrium Hollohatch
    Favourite Dotrice Altrium Hollohatch
    Report
    Aug 23rd 2016, 9:17 PM

    But no Irish person threw themselves off a balcony. ?Saw a few in Ibiza and Benidorm….

    18
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Naberius
    Favourite Naberius
    Report
    Aug 23rd 2016, 10:03 PM

    Most people would happily jump off a balcony if they saw you approaching, Ger.

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Screaming Toddy
    Favourite Screaming Toddy
    Report
    Aug 24th 2016, 2:42 AM

    Simpletons injure themselves and sometimes die. It doesn’t need a study.

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute David Hefner
    Favourite David Hefner
    Report
    Aug 24th 2016, 2:45 AM

    Natural f$$$ing selection at work again

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Bottleneck
    Favourite Bottleneck
    Report
    Aug 24th 2016, 6:22 AM

    “Balconing” aka “Brexit”

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Darren Murphy
    Favourite Darren Murphy
    Report
    Aug 24th 2016, 5:07 PM

    Shock lol

    1
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds