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Free Now not liable for equality claim by customer who said taxi driver spat at him, WRC rules

Summary

In a tribunal hearing, the Workplace Relations Commission ruled that Free Now Ireland Ltd could not be held liable for the conduct of a taxi driver who allegedly spat at passenger Amit Chawla on 17 March 2024 at Heuston Station. Chawla, an Irish citizen of Indian origin who uses a walking stick, claimed the driver made discriminatory remarks about his race, disability and sexual orientation, and refused service. The driver reportedly identified Chawla by his walking stick, asked if he was Indian, made comments about his sexuality, and after hanging up shouted further remarks before spitting. Free Now's lawyers argued the company had no responsibility for self‑employed drivers, citing the Taxi Regulation Act 2013. The tribunal found Free Now had no control over the driver and that vicarious liability did not arise, rejecting the complaint as fundamentally flawed. The company had only provided a booking and payment platform. The decision was delivered by adjudication officer Maire Mulcahy.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Free Now not liable for equality claim by customer who said taxi driver spat at him, WRC rules. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision

When:

• 17 March Incident
• 2025-07-01 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Hearing Or Decision

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Read the original CNI report