A Dublin Bus passenger who was defamed by remarks made by a conductor in the hearing of other passengers, has been awarded £7,500 damages in the Circuit Civil Court.
Mr Laurence Maguire, Buttercup Park, Darndale, Dublin, told his counsel, Mr Turlough O'Donnell, that when he boarded a bus in Swords he complained to the conductor that there was no bus service to Portrane hospital.
The conductor later said in the hearing of other passengers: "Don't mind him. We just picked him up at Portrane Mental Hospital where he was let out for the day."
Mr Maguire said that as a result of an exchange of views between himself and the conductor, the bus was stopped and gardai were called. When they arrived, the conductor told them he had a knife, which was not the case.
Dublin Bus did not call any evidence. Judge Liam Devally, awarding him £7,500 damages and costs, said it had been an upsetting experience for him.