Sacked bus driver with hearing loss awarded €20,000

A BUS driver with slight hearing loss who claimed he was discriminated against by Bus Éireann on the grounds of disability has been awarded €20,000 by the Equality Tribunal.

The man, identified only as Mr C, brought the case when he failed a medical examination and was not permitted to drive.

The complainant started work with Bus Éireann in 1978 as a part-time school bus driver. In 1993, he was offered summer seasonal driving in addition to his school bus driving, effectively working all year round and was sent for a medical examination.