Log cabin boss to sue over Pope’s TV3 exposé
Businessman claims he and his business were defamed
‘First-ever log cabin school in the North’
TV3 IS facing a High Court action by a disgruntled businessman who featured on its Consumer 999 show, the Irish Mail on Sunday can reveal.
Trevor Watson, of Beaver Log Cabins, launched an action against the station for defamation after his business was the subject of an investigation by the consumer affairs show.
Consumer 999, hosted by journalist Conor Pope, aired a programme about Beaver Log Cabins in October last year. Sources have revealed to the MoS that Mr Watson was outraged when his company featured prominently on the consumer series.
‘He is taking the case as he feels his business and him have been defamed by the programme,’ one source claimed. TV3 this weekend declined to comment on the litigation.
A few weeks after the show aired, Mr Watson and Beaver Log Cabins were featured in the Donegal Daily after building a schoolhouse in Derry. The Tyrone-based businessman suggested in the interview that he was planning to extend his log cabin schoolhouse service to the Republic.
As the housing crisis continues, many people are opting for alternatives to traditional brick and mortar homes, with log cabins becoming increasingly popular. They are also being used for schools, clubhouses and home office space.
‘More people are also realising that log cabins can be much more than luxurious outdoor getaways,’ Mr Watson told the Donegal Daily.
‘From families seeking extra living space to home owners in need of more storage and school boards of governors seeking bigger classrooms to business people in need of office units, we have daily enquiries about all types of use.
‘In Northern Ireland, we have just completed the first-ever log cabin schoolhouse to be granted full planning approval and building control in the UK, while we’re currently helping schools south of the border to explore similar projects. Offices and therapy suites are also becoming particularly popular.’