Sisters who were put off bus lose case

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.

Bernadette Curtis, Joan Dardis, and several family members were asked by a garda to get off the bus at Busáras in Dublin on June 23, 2013, following exchanges with the driver over the payment of fares for their group.

Dismissing their appeal over the circuit court’s rejection of their claim, Mr Justice Max Barrett said the sisters were regular visitors to Knock shrine and intended to go there with Ms Dardis’ adult daughter, Jennifer, and other family members, including Jennifer’s children, a toddler and nine-year-old boy.