Courts / Ireland / Report

'Get on if you're going': bus driver treated mother of disabled children unacceptably

Summary

In a complaint under the Equal Status Act 2000, a woman with two disabled children was denied boarding by a bus driver who shouted, "Get on if you're going," despite her presenting a travel card and explaining she was a carer. The incident occurred on 26 July 2023 in heavy rain, with the woman standing in the rain and allowing other passengers to board first. The driver's behaviour was described as treating the family "as if he was doing them a favour." The bus operator, which did not name itself, responded that the driver was identified and interviewed, but the driver had left the company during an internal disciplinary process. The Workplace Relations Commission found the woman discriminated against on disability grounds and ordered the company to pay €5,000 in compensation. The company apologized for a lack of communication and offered further assistance to the complainant.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: 'Get on if you're going': bus driver treated mother of disabled children unacceptably. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision

When:

• 26 July 2023 Hearing Or Sentence
• July 2023 Other
• 22 September Incident
• September 2023 Incident
• 2024-05-02 Publication

Why: At an equality hearing last month, the woman explained that she needs to use a special buggy to travel with two of her children, as they both have a "lifelong disability". CNI source report

Case subjects

Topics

Stage Hearing Or Decision

Read the original CNI report