I need to know where to go to get payment for work done?

My hubbie has just started up his own business, and has just completed a job doing up a house. It took 4 weeeks to do, now that he's finished, the person won't pay him!
We live in Ireland, where would be the best place to go to get payment from customer, would he have to go to solicitor or is there some sort of claims court for tradespersons in Ireland. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
As you can understand,he's only just started out, and cannot afford a loss like this.

Picket the loser in front of his house after you are done work for the day.It has to be on public property I would check with the police to see if you have a legal right to picket.That the way we do it in the U.S. and most pay pretty fast or lose there good character.
Or you can just piss on the a@@ hole

Why won't they pay?
Go to the local magistrates court and ask about a small or civil claim application.
try the small claims court. ring your local C.A.B for help
Under English law if the amount is not too large you can go to the small claims court which is a branch of the county court. You don't need a solicitor but it is a good idea to gets some advice with presenting your evidence. I am not sure if this is the same in Irish law but I suspect that you have something like it. You first write a letter asking the person to pay withing 14 days or you will issue proceedings then if they have not paid you go the to court and issue the summons
Small Claims Court
Before the work was started do they have a "contract". and after the work has been done did he secure any document for acceptance. Meaning the client might not be satisfied with the quality of the work he expected...He should first resolve all construction issues. Then document all claims or all defect findings of the client or merely a simple punchlist... list of defects. Then rectify the defects, turn over, all these must have documents.... Then submit to the client statement of account.
Before you seek for any legal action you should or must have evidence/proof. Do all things with diplomacy. Dont fight with clients but make sure you satisfy tem otherwise.... its a very big problem... Sometimes the hit is very hard... But once you shot the ball in the first time... then the next would on-line.................