Man awarded €12k for assault on bus

A taxi driver has been awarded damages against Dublin Bus after he was assaulted on a bus in 2006.

Martin O’Neill, 45, of Kelly’s Bay Cove, Skerries, said three “Arab or Asian-type immigrants” tried to gouge out his eyes in an attack following a Bon Jovi concert at Croke Park in May 2006, a judge heard yesterday.

Barrister Frank Beatty told the Circuit Civil Court that Mr O’Neill and his then girlfriend, Emelia, now his wife, decided to catch the Nite-Link bus to Skerries after the concert.

Mr Beatty said the attack occurred after the three men had followed the couple onto the bus.

Mrs O’Neill said the men had started chatting her up at the bus stop and had become very pushy, inviting her to go to a party with them. As soon as they had entered the bus, the men had started shouting abuse at Mr O’Neill.

Mr O’Neill told Judge Matthew Deery the men shouted racial remarks, calling him an Irish pig and using foul language.

He added that his attackers had punched, kicked, and bit him on his head and attempted to break his jaw.

He was treated at St James’s Hospital.

Mr O’Neill sued Dublin Bus for damages for assault, negligence and breach of contract. Judge Deery awarded him damages of €12,720.