Dublin Bus ordered to pay passenger €7,500 over alleged homophobic slurs...

Quantum Erasure · 22-01-2021 3:09am #1

https://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/dublin-bus-ordered-to-pay-passenger-e7500-over-alleged-homophobic-slurs-1068380.html

The passenger alleged that the bus driver called him a ‘f**got’ ‘go on you queer’ and ‘schizo’ on different occasions in 2017 and 2018.

Dublin Bus told the hearing the passenger’s complaints were investigated but it was deemed that no disciplinary action should be taken against the driver.

It denied that the slurs against the passenger were used, but did say that relations between the driver and passenger became confrontational. Dublin Bus alleged that around November-December 2017, the complainant who was a regular passenger on a specific route was repeatedly paying the wrong fare for the journeys he was taking.

The company said the dispute about fares escalated quickly and there were several arguments between the driver and the passenger. It did not deny that on at least one occasion the driver did not stop the bus when he saw the passenger at the bus stop,

In a statement issued through his solicitors, the complainant said he was hugely disappointed “that I was forced to take this course of action” and that what occurred “had a huge impact on my life and my mental health. I was treated differently because I am gay,"

His solicitor Mary Golden said: “We hope that this decision will influence future behaviour and show that discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, disability and all the nine protected grounds are unacceptable in modern Ireland and that this type of behaviour will not be tolerated.”

Treated differently because he's gay though...?

22-01-2021 3:13am

Ridiculous award. Court appeal will overturn it and I'm sorry amazed that this crowd felt no need to wait until after a criminal investigation was concluded. Interesting

22-01-2021 3:20am

Meh, it's a bit skimpy on the details.

Cookie_Monster · 22-01-2021 3:21am

Sounds like he was treated differently for being a scumbag fare dodger, rather than being gay tbh

Peregrinus · 22-01-2021 3:48am

The key sentence in the report that explains what went on here is buried about six paragraphs from the bottom of the story:

"The bus driver did not attend the WRC hearing."

So, at the hearing, the WRC has evidence (from the passenger) that the bus driver had used homophobic terms of abuse. And (it seems from what is in the report) that evidence was uncontradicted. "Dublin Bus denied that those terms were used", but if they backed up the denial with any evidence from anyone who was present on any of the occasions, the report does not mention it.

Faced with uncontradicted evidence, a tribunal is only going to make one finding. The passenger may have been a fare dodger, belligerent or whatever, but none of that would entitle anyone to call him a ******, a queer or a schizo.

Dublin Bus can appeal to the Circuit Court, and the appeal is by way of full rehearing of the issue. So they can appeal, call the driver as a witness and get him to give the evidence they should have got him to give at the WRC hearing.

ILoveYourVibes · 22-01-2021 5:19am

Good Im glad he got the money.

Sick of idiots thinking they can abuse people.

Quantum Erasure · 22-01-2021 8:12am

Like yer man waiting for the driver to finish his shift so he can harass him, shout at him, while recording it all on his phone to stick up on instagram for his 75,000 followers...?

davetherave · 22-01-2021 10:16am

ILoveYourVibes wrote: »

Good Im glad he got the money.

Sick of idiots thinking they can abuse people.

What about the Garda investigation that is still underway though?

biko · 22-01-2021 10:23am

The bus company said the passenger has 75,000 followers on his Instagram account and one of the videos posted online was of the driver finishing his shift at Talbot Street while the passenger stands on the pavement, shouting commentary about the driver to passers-by and intending passengers.

Dublin Bus said the driver felt threatened by the passenger videoing him and went on sick leave for three months.

This is harassment of the driver.
Now they both seem to have cases against each other, but only one uploaded evidence to the internet.

JasonStatham · 22-01-2021 10:46am

They should make the bus touch on touch off. Card only.

Bobblehats · 22-01-2021 10:50am

biko wrote: »

This is harassment of the driver.
Now they both seem to have cases against each other, but only one uploaded evidence to the internet.

Man, what a diva.

Nermal · 22-01-2021 11:00am

Between this and the Starbucks case - we have clearly taken a wrong turn in the application of vicarious liability here.

How on earth is it the fault of Dublin Bus or Starbucks if their employees make a balls of dealing with the public?

The legal industry is adept at assigning guilt to the party with the deepest pockets, whether it represents justice or not.

TomTomTim · 22-01-2021 11:09am

Nermal wrote: »

Between this and the Starbucks case - we have clearly taken a wrong turn in the application of vicarious liability here.

How on earth is it the fault of Dublin Bus or Starbucks if their employees make a balls of dealing with the public?

It's very odd, especially when you consider how many judges in Ireland are well aware of the concept of "opening the flood gates".

I do remember a case I read about in college, where the government were sued due to someone who was employed by the state sexual assaulting a child or something similar. At the time the state were made liable purely so the child in question could get some compensation, the general views was that they would not be liable in other circumstances, as it would be unfair.

GreeBo · 22-01-2021 11:44am

Nermal wrote: »

Between this and the Starbucks case - we have clearly taken a wrong turn in the application of vicarious liability here.

How on earth is it the fault of Dublin Bus or Starbucks if their employees make a balls of dealing with the public?

The legal industry is adept at assigning guilt to the party with the deepest pockets, whether it represents justice or not.

Thats the same in every walk of life though, the buck stops at the top.

The fact that the driver on at least one occasion didnt stop because this person was at the stop is pretty indefensible tbh.

Etc · 22-01-2021 11:47am

ILoveYourVibes wrote: »

Good Im glad he got the money.

Sick of idiots thinking they can abuse people.

Troll............

Peregrinus · 22-01-2021 1:51pm

Nermal wrote: »

Between this and the Starbucks case - we have clearly taken a wrong turn in the application of vicarious liability here.

How on earth is it the fault of Dublin Bus or Starbucks if their employees make a balls of dealing with the public?

The employher puts the employee in the position where he can abuse the public. The employer profits from the employee being in that position. Basically, the rationale for vicarious liablity is that the employer creates the risk of abusive behaviour for his own profit, and the onus is on him to prevent the abusive behaviour and to compensate those who suffer if he does not. If this weren't the rule, then employers would have an incentive to create these risks, but also an incentive to save money by not managing them, and letting others bear the downside.

fantaiscool · 22-01-2021 2:08pm

If you are having a dispute with someone who is gay, you make your points as well as you can and explain your position. If you think he is actively paying the wrong fare, you have the ability to ensure that he pays the correct fare before you drive the bus. You do not resort to homophobic slurs. Once you resort to that, all gloves are off and I'm happy to hear that the gay individual was able to stand up for himself and get a result.

Padraig Mor · 22-01-2021 2:24pm

fantaiscool wrote: »

You do not resort to homophobic slurs. Once you resort to that, all gloves are off and I'm happy to hear that the gay individual was able to stand up for himself and get a result.

I guess you missed the bit where Dublin Bus denied that the slurs were made?

jam_mac_jam · 22-01-2021 2:25pm

Yeah you can't call your customers ******s. I would have thought that was obvious.

Whatever the situation is. Just no.

ohnonotgmail · 22-01-2021 2:26pm

Padraig Mor wrote: »

I guess you missed the bit where Dublin Bus denied that the slurs were made?

the only person who could deny them was the driver and he didn't give evidence.

fantaiscool · 22-01-2021 2:36pm

jam_mac_jam wrote: »

Yeah you can't call your customers ******s. I would have thought that was obvious.

Whatever the situation is. Just no.

Agreed. I had quite a dispute with a gay guy in a house I used to live in and the thought of using a homophobic slur just never entered my mind. He actively went out of his way to cause trouble, even throwing my food out from the fridge, very very immature stuff. Since being gay is probably genetic and there is absolutely nothing wrong with being gay it would just never come into my mind to call someone a homophobic slur. You have to have a problem with gay people to even think of doing that. Glad he got the 7.5k and hopefully the driver learned a lesson. I'm sure the higher ups will be letting the driver know that he's cost the company 7.5k.

doublejobbing 2 · 22-01-2021 2:40pm

The fact this lad has 75,000 Instagram followers says a lot to me about what sort of contribution to society he is making, above anything else.

nullzero · 22-01-2021 2:42pm

This is the second judgment from the WRC to make the news this week.

It seems like the defendants are at a serious disadvantage with these type of cases as they tend to be taken for the actions of front line workers who aren't in the habit of recording things correctly and by the time they are aware a case is being taken everything is so muddled in their minds they don't stand a chance.

I must take a case through the WRC the next time someone serving me gets snotty. I could say anything happened and they wouldn't be able to defend themselves against it. Nice way to make a few grand.

KevRossi · 22-01-2021 2:47pm

So he'd have no issue with the driver suing him now? I mean, he posted a video online where he abuses the driver in public, so it seems to me that he has good grounds.

Being a Dublin Bus driver isn't easy, though it can be an average service a lot of the time. Driver needed to be more professional and get management involved if a passenger is constantly being difficult.

The guy who got the €7,500 sounds like a right tosser anyway.

Hurrache · 22-01-2021 2:59pm

Padraig Mor wrote: »

I guess you missed the bit where Dublin Bus denied that the slurs were made?

They denied it, but provided no evidence at all for that denial. Are you saying that if you're in court for assault, deny you done it, that's done and dusted so?

Whatever the background to the dispute is, the route of the verbals the driver took was as dumb as **** and opened him and the company he was representing wide open for such award.

nullzero wrote: »

I must take a case through the WRC the next time someone serving me gets snotty. I could say anything happened and they wouldn't be able to defend themselves against it. Nice way to make a few grand.

You won't, you'll lose and pay expenses for a trivial case. Neither of the 2 awards were made on the basis of someone being snotty. It's amazing that people can't see that.

22-01-2021 3:01pm

ILoveYourVibes wrote: »

Good Im glad he got the money.

Sick of IDIOTS thinking they can abuse people.

LOL.

nullzero · 22-01-2021 3:05pm

Hurrache wrote: »

They denied it, but provided no evidence at all for that denial. Are you saying that if you're in court for assault, deny you done it, that's done and dusted so?

Whatever the background to the dispute is, the route of the verbals the driver too was as dumb as **** and opened him and the company he was representing wide open for such award.

You won't, you'll lose and pay expenses for a trivial case. Neither of the 2 awards were made on the basis of someone being snotty. It's amazing that people can't see that.

Waffle.

The two cases that made the news from the WRC this week featured front line staff who didn't have the wherewithal to record their interactions with the plaintiffs correctly, thusly they could not effectly deny the accusations made against them.

Do you realise how important having your ducks in a row as a defendant is in a court setting? In both cases this week it was clear the front line staff weren't prepared for this eventuality. You can rest assured staff in both organisations will be drilled on how to deal with that type of situation going forward.

These type of cases will become more common place as a result of these two rulings this week.

Eventually this loophole will have to close.

Nermal · 22-01-2021 3:13pm

Peregrinus wrote: »

Basically, the rationale for vicarious liablity is that the employer creates the risk of abusive behaviour for his own profit, and the onus is on him to prevent the abusive behaviour and to compensate those who suffer if he does not.

LOL. Thin stuff. We know the real rationale: bus drivers won't have €7,500 lying around, but DB head office do.

Skyfloater · 22-01-2021 3:26pm

Nermal wrote: »

LOL. Thin stuff. We know the real rationale: bus drivers won't have €7,500 lying around, but DB head office do.

What were Dublin Bus or Starbucks for that matter, supposed to do here though? The implication is that every front line employee should be literally shadowed by a supervisor whose sole task is to make sure that the FLE doesn't offend anyone. Is that what you are implying Peruginus(sic)?

Hurrache · 22-01-2021 3:27pm

nullzero wrote: »

The two cases that made the news from the WRC this week featured front line staff who didn't have the wherewithal to record their interactions with the plaintiffs correctly, thusly they could not effectly deny the accusations made against them.

Well you certainly can't deny accusations made against you if you don't turn up to do so, something any right minded individual would do if falsely accused of anything.

nullzero wrote: »

You can rest assured staff in both organisations will be drilled on how to deal with that type of situation going forward.

You actually think they haven't been given training already in this? Jesus, when I worked one of this jobs 25 years ago, and I wouldn't have called it 'frontline', I even knew not to do something as stupid as in either of these cases, and there was customer service training then.

Skyfloater wrote: »

What were Dublin Bus or Starbucks for that matter, supposed to do here though? The implication is that every front line employee should be literally shadowed by a supervisor whose sole task is to make sure that the FLE doesn't offend anyone. Is that what you are implying Peruginus(sic)?

If you get food poisoning in a restaurant, or buy gone off food in a store, responsibility to the customer doesn't fall on the shoulders of the person that served you the food, or that left the food on the shelf when they shouldn't have, it's lays on the business.

ohnonotgmail · 22-01-2021 3:37pm

nullzero wrote: »

This is the second judgment from the WRC to make the news this week.

It seems like the defendants are at a serious disadvantage with these type of cases as they tend to be taken for the actions of front line workers who aren't in the habit of recording things correctly and by the time they are aware a case is being taken everything is so muddled in their minds they don't stand a chance.

I must take a case through the WRC the next time someone serving me gets snotty. I could say anything happened and they wouldn't be able to defend themselves against it. Nice way to make a few grand.

The bus driver didnt turn up to give evidence. If evidence is only presented from one side what is the WRC to do?

ohnonotgmail · 22-01-2021 3:38pm

Skyfloater wrote: »

What were Dublin Bus or Starbucks for that matter, supposed to do here though? The implication is that every front line employee should be literally shadowed by a supervisor whose sole task is to make sure that the FLE doesn't offend anyone. Is that what you are implying Peruginus(sic)?

They are responsible for the actions of their staff.

nullzero · 22-01-2021 3:41pm

Hurrache wrote: »

Well you certainly can't deny accusations made against you if you don't turn up to do so, something any right minded individual would do if falsely accused of anything.

You actually think they haven't been given training already in this? Jesus, when I worked one of this jobs 25 years ago, and I wouldn't have called it 'frontline', I even knew not to do something as stupid as in either of these cases, and there was customer service training then.

If you get food poisoning in a restaurant, or buy gone off food in a store, responsibility to the customer doesn't fall on the shoulders of the person that served you the food, or that left the food on the shelf when they shouldn't have, it's lays on the business.

In this case the accusations were denied, but the incidents obviously weren't recorded correctly.

The case involving Starbucks included an accusation of racist remarks made by the plaintiffs boyfriend that weren't recorded correctly.
When you worked in a similar role 25 years ago, how many court cases did you end up involved in?

This route of compensation via the WRC is looking likely to become a playground for all sorts of chances going forward.

Do you think the WRC paying out thousands of Euros to an endless line of plaintiffs is something that can sustained?

nullzero · 22-01-2021 3:43pm

ohnonotgmail wrote: »

The bus driver didnt turn up to give evidence. If evidence is only presented from one side what is the WRC to do?

He didn't turn up because it was his word against a carefully drafted statement crafted by a legal team.

He would have been crucified under cross examination.

The whole thing seems ripe for exploitation right now.

Hurrache · 22-01-2021 3:45pm

nullzero wrote: »

In this case the accusations were denied, but the incidents obviously weren't recorded correctly.

The case involving Starbucks included an accusation of racist remarks made by the plaintiffs boyfriend that weren't recorded correctly.
When you worked in a similar role 25 years ago, how many court cases did you end up involved in?

This route of compensation via the WRC is looking likely to become a playground for all sorts of chances going forward.

Do you think the WRC paying out thousands of Euros to an endless line of plaintiffs is something that can sustained?

Very little, not so much these days I suppose, gets recorded prior to going before a normal court of law, that's why you have courts to make decisions as to what actually happened based on testimony and witness statements.

I was involved as a witness in one case that ended up heading towards the labour court before being dropped by the employee. Everything that happens in a place of employment doesn't get recorded unless there's an obvious issue. You think the bus driver was going to record himself abusing a passenger, or the Starbucks employee going to make an incident report that he drew a slanty eyed figure as a way to identify a customer?

The business pays out, not the state.

nullzero wrote: »

He didn't turn up because it was his word against a carefully drafted statement crafted by a legal team.

He would have been crucified under cross examination.

The whole thing seems ripe for exploitation right now.

It's pretty much impossible to fire a Dublin Bus employee, they'll always have a union rep who've been through such situations numerous occasions and there's always an excuse or well worn path how to handle such cases.

Nothing in this process has changed, things are no more ripe now than they have for the last few decades. You abuse a customer while representing your employer, the repercussions have always been there.

ohnonotgmail · 22-01-2021 3:48pm

nullzero wrote: »

He didn't turn up because it was his word against a carefully drafted statement crafted by a legal team.

He would have been crucified under cross examination.

The whole thing seems ripe for exploitation right now.

If you turn up and appear honest then weight will be given to what you say. If you don't turn up at all then no weight can be given to anything you say. That means the claims made by the other side will be accepted as fact.

weldoninhio · 22-01-2021 3:52pm

fantaiscool wrote: »

If you are having a dispute with someone who is gay, you make your points as well as you can and explain your position. If you think he is actively paying the wrong fare, you have the ability to ensure that he pays the correct fare before you drive the bus. You do not resort to homophobic slurs. Once you resort to that, all gloves are off and I'm happy to hear that the gay individual was able to stand up for himself and get a result.

Mods, could you please ban fantaiscool due to calling me numerous homophobic names. I’ve no evidence, only my word, but s/he seems perfectly happy that this is enough evidence to blame someone and indeed get compensation.

Is that how this works??

nullzero · 22-01-2021 3:53pm

ohnonotgmail wrote: »

If you turn up and appear honest then weight will be given to what you say. If you don't turn up at all then no weight can be given to anything you say. That means the claims made by the other side will be accepted as fact.

I would go out on a limb and say that the company resigned themselves to writing of the money. Taking a driver off duty to go and fight a losing battle didn't make any sense.

ohnonotgmail · 22-01-2021 3:57pm

nullzero wrote: »

I would go out on a limb and say that the company resigned themselves to writing of the money. Taking a driver off duty to go and fight a losing battle didn't make any sense.

if by going out on a limb you mean just make something up then that is a possibility. One of many possibilities for why the driver didn't turn up.

ohnonotgmail · 22-01-2021 3:59pm

weldoninhio wrote: »

Mods, could you please ban fantaiscool due to calling me numerous homophobic names. I’ve no evidence, only my word, but s/he seems perfectly happy that this is enough evidence to blame someone and indeed get compensation.

Is that how this works??

It isn't. Fantaiscool would give his own evidence that he has not done what you say and whoever is is judging things would decide who is telling the truth.

Gatling · 22-01-2021 4:01pm

The world is really going mad ,

Repeatedly doesn't pay his fair and gets a reward for their efforts .

It's like the place is turning into a giant feedback thread,

Someone stop the bus

nullzero · 22-01-2021 4:03pm

Hurrache wrote: »

Very little, not so much these days I suppose, gets recorded prior to going before a normal court of law, that's why you have courts to make decisions as to what actually happened based on testimony and witness statements.

I was involved as a witness in one case that ended up heading towards the labour court before being dropped by the employee. Everything that happens in a place of employment doesn't get recorded unless there's an obvious issue. You think the bus driver was going to record himself abusing a passenger, or the Starbucks employee going to make an incident report that he drew a slanty eyed figure as a way to identify a customer?

The business pays out, not the state.

It's pretty much impossible to fire a Dublin Bus employee, they'll always have a union rep who've been through such situations numerous occasions and there's always an excuse or well worn path how to handle such cases.

Nothing in this process has changed, things are no more ripe now than they have for the last few decades. You abuse a customer while representing your employer, the repercussions have always been there.

I have been in court where claims have been taken and seen plaintiffs torn apart by defendants who had their affairs in order.

Any time an incident which could potentially end up in court occurs detailed reports should be taken by all parties involved. When you get to court this pays dividends.

You drew poor comparisons above (you assumed the driver was abusive to the passenger and then wondered why the driver would record himself being abusive instead of understanding that the driver should have ensured he could not be accused incorrectly by recording the incident correctly)

As for the Starbucks case, there was an accusation that the plaintiffs boyfriend used racial slurs against the black Brazilian woman who drew the "slanty eyes" which was not properly recorded by her supervisor.

In the Starbucks case we had a plaintiff who didn't want to go to court but the case was pursued by her boyfriends family. In that case the staff member did something stupid and should have been reprimanded but we ended up with a 12 k payout for a stupid but minor incident where there is a good chance her boyfriend ended up being the most racist person involved in the incident.

The Dublin bus incident was one person's word against another's. Lack of preparedness for this type of eventuality lead to the payout without question.

nullzero · 22-01-2021 4:06pm

ohnonotgmail wrote: »

if by going out on a limb you mean just make something up then that is a possibility. One of many possibilities for why the driver didn't turn up.

Neither of us know for sure but you feel free to take the moral high ground by all means.

LillySV · 22-01-2021 4:08pm

nullzero wrote: »

I would go out on a limb and say that the company resigned themselves to writing of the money. Taking a driver off duty to go and fight a losing battle didn't make any sense.

Friend working with bus eireann told me before that they pay out for everything , they never fight accusations or claims, something that sickens him as he has seen many made up accidents and cases where the other driver was wrong , they had evidence to prove so, yet still paid out! I think the prob is that in many cases it cheaper to pay out than pay for legal fight

Hurrache · 22-01-2021 4:13pm

weldoninhio wrote: »

Mods, could you please ban fantaiscool due to calling me numerous homophobic names. I’ve no evidence, only my word, but s/he seems perfectly happy that this is enough evidence to blame someone and indeed get compensation.

Is that how this works??

Gatling wrote: »

Repeatedly doesn't pay his fair and gets a reward for their efforts .

You've a basic misunderstanding of what's a very simple concept. You think you'd even google it before looking foolish.

ebbsy · 22-01-2021 4:17pm

JasonStatham wrote: »

They should make the bus touch on touch off. Card only.

Good point. I was in Norway, they do not accept cash on public transport.

Problem is would some of the gob****es in this country be able to grasp this concept.

Gatling · 22-01-2021 4:22pm

Hurrache wrote: »

You think you'd even google it before .

Maybe read it first .

The problem was a clash over the complainant repeatedly not paying their fare..

Imagine that don't pay your far but as long as you claim you have been called a slur you get a big reward ,

Strange but true

ohnonotgmail · 22-01-2021 4:25pm

Gatling wrote: »

Maybe read it first .

The problem was a clash over the complainant repeatedly not paying their fare..

Imagine that don't pay your far but as long as you claim you have been called a slur you get a big reward ,

Strange but true

No the problem was the driver allegedly user homophobic slurs. No evidence was offered that he didn't so the WRC found in favour of the passenger.

Gatling · 22-01-2021 4:28pm

ohnonotgmail wrote: »

No the problem was the driver allegedly user homophobic slurs. No evidence was offered that he didn't

Exactly .

Gatling · 22-01-2021 4:34pm

Now this sheds some interesting light on the story.

How would the driver know he was gay in the first place and why they didn't wait on the outcomes of the criminal complaint made by the driver before ordering a payout

Dublin Bus denied that those terms were used and told the hearing that the bus driver has made a formal complaint to gardaí concerning the passenger’s behaviour and is awaiting the outcome of that complaint.

Dublin Bus said the passenger has 75,000 followers on his Instagram account and one of the videos posted online was of the driver finishing his shift at Talbot Street while the passenger stands on the pavement, shouts commentary about the driver to passers-by and intending passengers.

Dublin Bus said the driver felt threatened by the passenger videoing of him and went on sick leave for three months.

https://www.independent.ie/news/dublin-bus-ordered-to-pay-gay-passenger-7500-after-driver-alleged-to-have-made-homophobic-slurs-39996072.html

Stephen Gawking · 22-01-2021 4:36pm

I note the driver had been out on sick leave due to being filmed & repeatedly harassment by the 'victim,' the complainant obviously couldn't wait to upload it to instagram to demonstrate how wounded he was. Perhaps as a result the driver didn't want to attend the WRC? Not saying it didn't happen as i wasn't there but this is simply ludicrous. Lots of companies simply pay out as its cheaper than retaining counsel & fighting the claim in court.

Dublin Bus ordered to pay passenger €7,500 over alleged homophobic slurs...

Comments