Rock star ordered to pay ex-nanny

Ms O'Riordan had hits in the 90s with the Cranberries

Cranberries singer Dolores O'Riordan and her husband have been told by a Dublin court to pay their former nanny 1,500 euros (£1,000).

But Joy Fahy failed to prove allegations of false imprisonment and breach of contract against the pair.

Judge Jonathan Quirke said he was satisfied some of Joy Fahy's belongings had been mislaid when she left the job, before they were later returned.

Ms Fahy first worked for 33-year-old Ms O'Riordan in 1997 as a maternity nurse.

She had sought 12,700 euros (£9,000), a Cherokee Jeep and the deposit for an apartment from the couple, which she claimed were promised to her if her one-year verbal contract was terminated.

In the High Court in Dublin, Mr Justice Quirke said Ms Fahy had failed to put forward evidence for any of the allegations she made against the couple except for the loss of her personal items.

'Groundless' criticism

He said any criticism of the parenting skills of Ms O'Riordan and Mr Burton was "entirely groundless".

"The defendants are exemplary parents. They are clearly devoted to their son," he added.

Ms Fahy praised the judge's ruling

He also praised Ms Fahy, telling the court she was "a competent, caring childminder of exemplary character".

The allegations related to incidents when Ms Fahy was looking after the couple's son in 1999, which culminated in Ms Fahy parting company with Ms O'Riordan and her husband Mr Burton while they were in Canada on holiday.

Outside the court, Ms O'Riordan said she wanted to put the court case behind her.

"It has always been behind me," she said.

Ms Fahy, 34, who has also worked for U2 star Larry Mullen, hailed the judge's ruling as a success.

"I came here with my statement, I came with my story. It was the truth and it is the truth," she said.

"I am relieved it's all over and sometimes the little guy can win."