The Circuit Civil Court heard today how three sisters were verbally abused by a man holding a baby, while inspecting a pram they intended to purchase at a store.
Expectant mum Lisa Ralph told the court how she wanted to purchase “the Rolls Royce of buggies” for her first baby, and was accompanied by her two sisters as she shopped for a ‘Bugaboo’ model in Blanchardstown Shopping Centre’s Mamas & Papas store.
However, while browsing – and seemingly out of nowhere – Ms Ralph and her sisters were approached by a man holding a baby, who shouted at them and proceeded to tell them to “put the pram down and get out”.
While the man was not an employee of the store, it later transpired that he was Claude Cojanu, the husband of the store’s assistant manager, Cristina Cojanu, who had been waiting to see his wife.
Mr Cojanu claims that he was provoked, and that one of Ms Ralph’s sisters, upon catching him looking at the party, said: “What are you looking at, you freak?”
All three women denied his claims against them in court.
According to the court, Ms Ralph and her sisters were left ‘mortified’ after being asked to leave in front of other customers.
Upon discovering the fracas, Mrs Cojanu is said to have apologised profusely to the women and offering a gift voucher against the pram of Ms Ralph’s choice, which was rejected.
Awarding damages of €2,500 each to Ms Ralph and her sisters, with their legal costs, Judge Linnane said: “It is admitted the plaintiffs were asked to leave, which would imply wrongdoing and they were very upset.”
Ms Ralph since admitted that she has not purchased a pram at Mamas & Papas.
