Two sisters who sued Bus Éireann over being asked to get off a bus which they intended to travel on for a trip to Knock shrine in Co Mayo have lost their High Court action for damages for defamation and loss of reputation.

A postman, found to have “abused” a bus driver for not giving him a receipt for 5c, yesterday lost a €75,000 claim in the Circuit Civil Court for defamation and now faces a legal costs bill of close on €20,000.

A 65-year-old man “with attitude” has lost a €75,000 defamation case against Irish Rail and a security company — and has been ordered to pay legal costs that will amount to more than €20,000.