The Workplace Relations Commission found that Bus Eireann - Irish Bus discriminated against Elizabeth Burke, a member of the Traveller community, and awarded her €500 in compensation. The decision was dated 9 November 2023.
The case concerned an incident on a bus travelling from Killarney to Tralee on 26 June 2022. Burke said the driver shouted at her and her daughter after she mistakenly presented her husband’s pass before using her replacement pass. The driver said she had tried to use the pass to get a companion fare and that he acted appropriately.
The adjudication officer accepted Burke’s account and found that the driver’s claim that he could not identify Traveller passengers damaged his credibility. The officer found less favourable treatment in the provision of the bus service. Burke herself was not shouted at and was able to travel; the award reflected the upset caused that day.