Courts / Kildare / Report

Bus driver sacked after being caught using phone before collision loses dismissal challenge

Date
2024-11-27

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Prosperous

County
Kildare

Summary

Peter Gleeson, a bus driver for Go‑Ahead Ireland Bus Ltd, was dismissed in December 2022 after CCTV footage showed him using a mobile phone while driving. The incident, which occurred on 24 November 2022 near Prosperous, Co. Kildare, involved a van colliding with the bus's side mirror. Gleeson claimed he was uncertain whether he used his phone or radio to report the crash and later drove for another half hour before a tyre blew out. Go‑Ahead's disciplinary officer, Keith McDonnell, deemed the use of a mobile device while driving gross misconduct and dismissed Gleeson immediately. Gleeson's union, SIPTU, argued the sanction was too harsh and that the investigation was flawed, citing a lack of a collective agreement on CCTV use. The Workplace Relations Commission rejected Gleeson's unfair dismissal claim, finding the dismissal proportionate given the risk of distraction and injury. The tribunal noted Gleeson's willingness to return to driving after more than a year.