Courts / Dublin / Report

'Grave public importance': major coach operator accused of having 'defective and dangerous' vehicles

Summary

Setanta Landers of Setanta Solicitors appeared before the Workplace Relations Commission on behalf of applicant Nico Holloway, who has brought complaints against Citi Bus Ltd, trading as Dublin Coach, under the Protected Disclosures Act 2014, the Unfair Dismissals Act 1977, and the Employment Equality Act 1998. The applicant alleged that the respondent operated defective and dangerous public vehicles and that he was penalised for raising these concerns. Mr. Landers described the allegations as a matter of grave public importance, noting that the applicant had recovered photos and video footage from a broken mobile phone. The respondent's counsel, Ray Ryan BL, applied for an adjournment, arguing that the applicant had submitted a booklet of evidence, including defect notifications, on the afternoon prior to the hearing. Mr. Ryan stated that the respondent would be seriously prejudiced if the hearing proceeded without time to take instructions. Mr. Landers opposed the application, asserting that the documents were the respondent's own internal records and that no new allegations were being made. Adjudicator David James Murphy granted the adjournment, deeming it extraordinary to force the respondent to proceed given the late submission of documents. The matter was adjourned pending the fixing of a new date, with the applicant given one week to make further submissions and the respondent three weeks to reply.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: 'Grave public importance': major coach operator accused of having 'defective and dangerous' vehicles. Procedural stage: charge_or_pretrial

When:

• 5 January 2024 Adjournment
• 2024-05-14 Publication

Why: "We respectfully say we would be seriously prejudiced if the hearing proceeds today, because we need more time to take instructions," Mr Ryan said. CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Charge Or Pretrial

Related court reports

• Man charged with having 56k child abuse images and videos remanded on bail
• Ex-Dáil hopeful's allegations against former employer 'complete fantasy', WRC told
• Mater must pay €10k to worker who said he was wrongly accused of abusing patient
• 'I think we know I won't be getting bail' - Daniel Kinahan charged with directing criminal organisation
• Letting agent who claimed alleged domestic violence victim abandoned tenancy by fleeing to refuge must pay €14.7k
• 77-year-old with 470 convictions told Luas staff to 'f**k off'

Read the original CNI report