U2 win court battle with former stylist

The legal action, taken by the band, sought to establish that they and not Ms Cashman were the owners of a trademark Joshua Tree-era Stetson, which Bono described as “iconic”, a pair of black trousers and a pair of earings, which were also worn by Bono during The Joshua Tree world tour. The trial, which ran over two days last week heard evidence from Bono, U2 manager Paul McGuinness, Ms Cashman as well as U2 crew members and accountants.

Ms Cashman has been ordered to return the items, as well as nearly 200 photographs and a Christmas decoration given to the band by a fan, within seven days. She had claimed that the items were given to her by the band and had attempted to sell them at auction through Christies. U2 disputed her claims with Bono stating that it was “ridiculous to think we would give away these items” adding that the group never gave such items to any employees.

Justice Deery told the Circuit Civil Court that he believed U2’s version of events were “more likely to have happened.” He added that, given the groups extraordinary success on The Joshua Tree world tour, and their continuing success with the Vertigo world tour, “it would seem odd if the group were to make provision of claim if it (the items) were not of serious importance to band.”

The singer had spelt out the reasons for their decision to institute the action when, during proceedings, he told the court that "no matter how rich or powerful you are, there comes a time, when someone is trying to push you around that you have to call a halt to it."

Cashman, who spent just over a year on the road with the band, has written a book about her experiences Inside The Zoo With U2: My Life With The Biggest Rock Band In The World, in which she claimed to have completely revamped the image of the band for the tour that established them as the biggest rock band in the world.

U2 are due to play a concert in Katowice, Poland this evening.