High Court actions have been launched by five people who claim they were injured when a lift in a Killarney hotel plunged three floors to the ground.
Brothers Andrew, Paul and Kevin Meehan along with Andrew's wife Patricia O'Leary and Jennie Wong were in the lift at the Killarney Plaza Hotel when it crashed to the ground on July 9, 2011.
The group entered the lift in the Killarney Plaza Hotel carpark to make their way back to their rooms after attending a wedding.
It's alleged that the lift failed to dock at the intended floor and instead plummeted three floors to the basement; the lift in the buckled under the impact of the crash and mirrors shattered showering the occupants in glass.
It is claimed the group was unable to contact hotel staff by mobile phone or the phone in the lift but a member of staff heard the crash and emergency services were called.
Counsel for all five, Barney Quirke SC told the High Court the five have suffered devastating consequences of their injuries and it has also affected the wider Meehan family.
The group are suing the hotel owners, Shawcove Limited, with registered offices in Castleisland and the companies involved in installing and maintaining lifts.
They are Ellickson Engineering Ltd, in receivership of Kilmurry, Waterford; Kilell Ltd also of Kilmurry, Waterford and Otis Ltd, Naas Road Business Park, Dublin and Otis Elevator Ireland Ltd of the same address, as well as lift manufacturer Daldoss Elevetronic Spa of Valsugana, Italy.
It is claimed there was an alleged failure to ensure the intended pathway from the car park was safe and free from hazard.
And there was an alleged failure, it is claimed, to install a proper functioning lift from the car park to the hotel.
The claims are denied.
Mr Justice Michael Hanna granted the parties until this (Wednesday) morning to enter into talks to see if the five cases can be progressed.
The actions are being heard remotely.
