Blind couple who left Cork train were refused taxi in Dublin because of guide dog

A taxi driver has been ordered to pay compensation of €12,000 to a blind couple, after he refused to give them a lift at the rank at  Heuston Station, in Dublin, because they had a guide dog.

The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) ruled that the driver, Abiodun Dongo, had discriminated against Lisa O’Donovan and her partner, Anthony Clarke, on the grounds of disability and in breach of the Equal Status Act 2000.

The couple, who are visually impaired, told the WRC that they proceeded to the taxi rank in Heuston Station on December 27, 2024, after arriving on a train from Cork.

Both Ms O’Donovan and Mr Clarke gave evidence that Mr Dongo reacted abruptly and stated that he would not take the guide dog.

They both claimed that the taxi driver had shouted at them in a most aggressive and abusive manner, before winding up the window of his car and driving off abruptly.

Ms O’Donovan and Mr Clarke told the WRC that they were hugely embarrassed and humiliated.

WRC RULING

In her ruling, WRC adjudication officer, Valerie Murtagh, said that she found the complainants were credible witnesses, who provided cogent and compelling testimony.

Ms Murtagh said that Ms O’Donovan, as a person who is visually impaired and who also has a hearing impairment, as well as Mr Clarke, was entitled to be provided with reasonable accommodation when accessing services. Ms Murtagh noted that their guide dog was clearly identifiable because of its working uniform.

Based on the couple’s uncontested evidence, the WRC ruled that they had been discriminated against by the refusal to provide them with a taxi service, which had caused them unnecessary upset and humiliation.

Ms Murtagh ordered Mr Dongo to pay €6,000 in compensation each to Ms O’Donovan and Mr Clarke.

She also ordered the taxi driver to ensure that he is in compliance with the relevant equality legislation in future.

Mr Dongo did not attend a hearing of the case before the WRC.

FINED

The 58-year-old taxi driver and father-of-five, from Cappaghfinn Rd, Finglas, Dublin 11, was earlier this year fined €1,000 by the Dublin District Court and ordered to pay legal costs of €750 over the same incident.

Mr Dongo was prosecuted by the National Transport Authority, under the Taxi Regulation Act, for his refusal to take the couple and their guide dog in his taxi.

The court heard that an Iarnród Éireann official had jotted down the taxi driver’s registration plate.

Judge Anthony Halpin said the attitude of Mr Dongo and another taxi driver, prosecuted for the same offence, towards two vulnerable people, was “disappointing and wholly unacceptable”.

The court heard Mr Dongo had claimed he was allergic to dogs and took off after collecting another passenger.