The children, cousins, claimed a member of staff had loudly accused them of stealing a multipack of Happy Hippo biscuits from an Iceland in Finglas, Dublin, The Irish Times reports.

They were awarded €14,000 between them.

Danny Flannagan, 13, told the president of the Circuit Court, Mr Justice Raymond Groarke that his cousins, Abbey Flanagan, 14 and her sister Rihanna had become upset after the accusation was made. 

They took legal action through the mother of the girls, Angelina Maguire.

Abbey was awarded €5,000 while Danny and Rihanna were each awarded €4,500.