the worm turns on McDonalds

national | miscellaneous | news report Friday June 28, 2002 11:54 by clinton

man awarded 4,000 Euro after finding a worm in his Big Mac

A MAN who became violently ill after finding a worm in his food at a McDonald's restaurant yesterday won €4,000 damages in the Circuit Civil Court.

James Grant said he was so revolted by the experience that he will never eat a Big Mac again.

Mr Grant, an engineer, of Chantiere Gate, Portlaoise, Co Laois, was eating a burger in the Dublin Kylemore Road branch of McDonald's on May 22, 1998 when he noticed a worm and insect egg-like particles in his food.

He told Circuit Court President, Mr Justice Esmond Smyth, that shortly after finding the worm it occurred to him that he may already have eaten other worms.

Speaking after the court case, Mr Grant said that the experience, and the psychological impact in particular, had put him off McDonald's for life.

Neither he nor any member of his family has eaten in a branch of the world-famous fast food chain since the incident.

In court, Mr Grant said he began to feel ill after leaving the restaurant and vomited in the nearby Texas store carpark. When he got home he felt unwell and was unable to eat for some time.

Jack Hickey, counsel for Mr Grant, said medical reports in the case had been agreed and revealed temporary loss of appetite. Mr Grant had been to see his doctor who prescribed treatment for worms and nausea.

Mr Hickey said the doctor was satisfied Mr Grant had suffered a psychological injury as well as physical symptoms.

A year after the incident he was complaining of flashbacks and still found the incident distressing.

Mr Justice Smyth awarded €4,000 damages and costs against McDonald's and Avondale Foods (Craigavon) Ltd, Chestnut Farm, Dukestown Lane in Lurgan, which supplied food to McDonald's.

The judge ordered the defendants to pay a €2,500 lodgement to Mr Grant in part settlement of the decree.

Speaking after the award yesterday, Mr Grant said he was pleased and satisfied with the outcome.

He said the physical effects of his experience had not lasted long, but the nausea and dread of eating worms had.

"At the end of the day, McDonald's is a reputable company and you do not expect the likes of that," he said.

Immediately after making the unpalatable discovery, Mr Grant had approached a manager in the McDonald's outlet.

"They were apologetic and said this does not happen.

"They offered me some vouchers for future family meals which I declined," Mr Grant said.

A spokeswoman for McDonald's last night said that Avondale Foods, a supplier of McDonald's, had taken over the case.

She said she was unable to comment about it because she did not have any of the details.