I noted with interest a Judgement handed down in the last few days awarding a cyclist €15,000 for an assault by a Bus Éireann bus driver.

The plaintiff Mr. Scott Burns took the personal injuries case against Bus Éireann after he was assaulted by a bus driver in August of 2009 while cycling his bike outside Arlington Hotel.

The parties had a verbal discussion after the cyclist had to mount the footpath to pass the bus. The exchange escalated after the cyclist took a picture of the licence plate of the bus.

The bus driver knocked the phone from Mr. Burns’ hand and assaulted him causing injuries to his chest and thumb. The plaintiff claimed his wrist was grabbed and his thumb was pushed back causing injury. Bus Éireann attempted to deny liability for the personal injuries suffered but were unsuccessful. It is very common these days to see personal injuries assault cases before the Courts. Any person who is the victim of an assault is entitled to sue the aggressor for damages in Court and should seek proper legal advice at an early stage.

By Maurice O’Connor