Dublin man ‘with attitude’ loses €75k Irish Rail case

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.

CCTV and body camera video of Martin Maguire’s behaviour at Connolly Station in Dublin and “his demeanour in court” led Circuit Civil Court Judge Jacqueline Linnane to throw out his claim for defamation, false imprisonment, and assault and battery.

Judge Linnane told barrister Jeri Ward, counsel for Irish Rail, that she did not have to hear evidence rebutting Maguire’s allegations against Irish Rail and STT Risk Management Limited.

The judge told Ms Ward and barrister Eamon Marray, counsel for the security firm, of Forthenry Business Park, Ballina, Killaloe, Co Tipperary, that she had seen enough in Maguire’s manner and behaviour both in court and at Connolly Station to dismiss his case.

“From his behaviour in court today and the video evidence presented to the court it is quite clear that Mr Maguire acted with an unreasonable, threatening and confrontational attitude,” Judge Linnane said.

The judge said there was no prima facie case presented to the court with which Irish Rail and STT Risk Management Limited had to deal.

Mr Maguire, of Melbourne Gardens, Rush, Co Dublin, said that on April 2, 2013, he had presented his free travel pass to Irish Rail staff at Connolly Station, Dublin. He alleged that when his pass had been queried he had mistakenly given a wrong date of birth and “the Irish Rail girl” told him he had a false pass and that he was on camera.

“I am uneducated and I cannot read,” he said. “I didn’t know my date of birth until it was confirmed to me by the dole office many years ago. Anyone can make a mistake.”

Judge Linnane, dismissing Maguire’s claim with costs against him, said Irish Rail was entitled to check his travel pass details.