Wednesday 28 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 1502Defamation of character (civil) · Co. Dublin · 1 May 2020

Courier Paul Brooks wins €10,000 defamation claim against Circle K over fuel drive-off

In May 2020, courier Paul Brooks poured €20 of diesel into his van at a Circle K filling station beside Glasnevin Cemetery on the Finglas Road, Dublin, and told the sales assistant he had forgotten his wallet and would ring his mother to pay by card details over the phone, but Circle K was not set up to take an over-the-phone payment. Brooks's mother called and paid for the fuel the following day. Brooks subsequently sued Circle K for defamation of character at the Circuit Civil Court. In June 2025, Judge Mary O'Malley Costello awarded Brooks €10,000 in damages and Circuit Court costs against Circle K.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court19 Jun
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Paul Brooks poured €20 of diesel into his van and told the sales assistant he had forgotten his wallet and would ring his mother to pay by card details over the phone.
  • Circle K was not set up to take an over-the-phone payment.
  • Brooks's mother called and paid for the fuel the day after the incident.
Where
The incident occurred at the Circle K filling station beside Glasnevin Cemetery on the Finglas Road, Dublin.
When
The incident occurred in May 2020.
Charges
Brooks sued Circle K for defamation of character at the Circuit Civil Court.
In court
Circle K accepted in its defence that the fuel had been paid for on the following day.
Sentence
Judge Mary O'Malley Costello awarded Brooks €10,000 in damages and Circuit Court costs against Circle K.
8 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatPaul Brooks poured €20 of diesel into his van (irishtimes.com)
  • whatBrooks told the sales assistant he had forgotten his wallet and would ring his mother to pay by card details over the phone (irishtimes.com)
  • whatCircle K was not set up to take an over-the-phone payment (irishtimes.com)
  • whatBrooks's mother called and paid for the fuel the day after the incident (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe incident occurred at Circle K filling station beside Glasnevin Cemetery on the Finglas Road, Dublin (irishtimes.com)
  • courtBrooks sued Circle K for defamation of character at the Circuit Civil Court (irishtimes.com)
  • courtCircle K accepted in its defence that the fuel had been paid for on the following day (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceBrooks was awarded €10,000 damages and Circuit Court costs against Circle K (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 19 Jun2025
    In courtirishtimes.com, first report
    Drivers leave garage without paying for fuel on a daily basis, court hears

    Reports the outcome of the civil defamation case, including the judge's findings on witness credibility and the damages awarded.

    victim, Paul Brooks, male, irish (judged from name)Paul Brooks