Row with bus driver over €50 note ‘traumatised’ student
Robert McDonagh, aged 26, with an address at Apartment 4, Cathedral Place, Limerick, sued Bus Éireann for defamation and personal injury arising out of the incident on May 22, 2012, while on his way to an appointment at Limerick Pieta House.
It was claimed at Limerick Circuit Civil Court yesterday that while the incident did not cause Mr McDonagh emotional suffering, it did result in transient upset triggering nightmares of incidents dating back to earlier years.
Judge James O’Donohue was told Mr McDonagh got the Ballycummin bus from the city centre accompanied by his girlfriend Dolores Hennessy, for a counselling appointment, following a suicidal episode the previous month.
Before getting the 1.30pm bus, Mr McDonagh took a €50 euro from an ATM, which was the only note that could be issued.
He apologised to the bus driver who allegedly told him: “I am not a bank. It’s not my problem.”
When he asked the driver to hold the bus so he could get change in a nearby shop, the driver said ‘no’.
Another passenger changed the €50 note for him.
Further issues allegedly arose and the driver told Mr McDonagh: “People like you always have an attitude problem.” When he asked the driver his name in order to make a complaint, the driver refused.
Mr McDonagh said he had a suicide episode the previous month and was receiving counselling at Pieta House. He had to get that particular bus to make his appointment.
In reply to Neil O’Driscoll, counsel for Bus Éireann, Mr McDonagh denied being unruly and disturbing other passengers.
Mr McDonagh said he was shocked at the way he was spoken to by the driver and by his demeanour.
He added: “He was rude when I was just pleasant. I just wanted to go to counselling. This affected me because I was rebuilding my confidence and learning to stand up to bullies. I was getting hope into my life, but this threw me right back to my childhood and made me feel hopeless again. I was humiliated and felt worthless and like a criminal, but had no reason to.”
He denied that he was over-reacting.
Brian Sugrue, counsel for Mr McDonagh, said the plaintiff received a letter of apology.
Mr O’Driscoll said it was a policy to send letters to customers who complain to appease them and defuse a situation.
Judge O’Donohue, reading the letter, remarked: “This is an open letter of apology.”
After an adjournment, the judge was told the action was settled.
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