Letterkenny woman loses claim against dating agency

The Happy Matchmaker dating agency has been acquitted of introducing a woman client to men she said groped, assaulted and battered her.
Annmarie McBrearty, 35, of Oldtown, Letterkenny, told Donegal District Court how she was introduced to four men without finding romance.
Judge Kevin Kilrane dismissed Ms McBrearty’s claim for €6,348.99 for negligence, breach of duty and fraudulent misrepresentation.
Annmarie McBrearty said she paid €600 for 12 introductions but it became clear after four introductions that the “prospective suitors” had not been vetted or screened in any way.
As a result she was “groped, assaulted and battered without lawful excuse.”
She claimed one man wanted to move in with her for the weekend on only their second date. Another, the fourth, kissed her on the mouth and put his tongue down her throat to her disgust.
Happy Matchmaker owner Mary Mitchell, of Ballintra, denied negligence and explained to the court her vetting procedures.
The judge made no order on costs, saying he found both sides in the dispute “absolutely honest”.
Judge Kilrane said man number one was shy and nothing happened when they met to explore the possibilities of extending the relationship.
Man number two was “more unmannerly” and he saw no prospect of a relationship when he said he would see what else the agency had to offer.
No. three was “desperate for a partner” and wanted action straightaway. The plaintiff considered that inappropriate. It didn’t work out.
No. four may have been offered a peck on the cheek. There was a misunderstanding when he kissed her on the mouth but there was no suggestion the man was anything but over-enthusiastic.
The judge said none of the evidence related to sexual predators and none of the men in the case fitted into that category.