A High Court judge has dismissed a €70,000 defamation claim taken against the retailer Sports Direct following a heated dispute over a pair of trainers in a Dublin store. The case was brought by a customer who alleged that staff had defamed him during an argument about the purchase.

However, the court found no evidence that the man had been called a “thief” or a “liar,” as he claimed. The judge said that video footage of the incident was particularly important, describing it as “telling” in understanding what happened.

After reviewing the footage, the court concluded that the customer’s behaviour had been aggressive and intimidating toward store staff. It was determined that, rather than being defamed, his own conduct contributed significantly to the escalation of the situation.

The dispute itself arose when the customer challenged the price of trainers, but the court accepted that he was mistaken in his understanding of the situation. The judge rejected his version of events and was not satisfied that any defamatory statements had been made.

As a result, the claim was thrown out, and the man was ordered to cover the legal costs of the case.

Sports Direct was represented by two members of the Miley & Miley LLP litigation team, John G. Walsh and Michael Heslin, as well as barrister EJ Walsh BL.

Further press: The Irish Times