Courts / Galway / Report
Bus Éireann directed to carry out urgent review after support dog discrimination
Summary
In a tribunal decision dated 19 July 2023, the Workplace Relations Commission found that Bus Éireann's refusal to allow Galway man Robert Cantwell to travel with his support dog, Osho, was discriminatory under the Equal Status Act 2000. Cantwell, who suffers partial paralysis from a childhood brain injury and relies on the dog for mental health support, had repeatedly sought permission from a local manager, Peter Melia, who cited the company's policy that only fully trained guide or assistance dogs may travel free of charge. Cantwell's attempts to comply, including offering to train the dog or purchase a certified service dog, were rejected. The adjudicator, Louise Boyle, ruled that the company's failure to provide reasonable accommodation constituted a prohibited act, awarding Cantwell €1,500 in compensation and ordering Bus Éireann to urgently review its disability access policies. The decision emphasised that the policy's restrictions on dogs, cats, or other animals were not justified by the circumstances presented.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Bus Éireann directed to carry out urgent review after support dog discrimination. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- 11 January 2022 Other
- April 2022 Other
- 2023-07-19 Publication
Why: He said that because of lifelong partial paralysis following a brain injury he suffered at the age of eight, he found it difficult to walk and needed to get to the sea to swim for therapy. CNI source report
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