[Article] Schoolgirl gets €5,000 for slander and assault on Luas

[Colm Moore]

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/...282072322.html

Schoolgirl gets €5,000 for slander and assault on Luas
RAY MANAGH

A SCHOOLGIRL who was restrained from boarding the Luas in Dublin despite having a ticket has been awarded €5,000 damages for slander and assault.

Barrister Fiona Pekaar told the Circuit Civil Court that Shauna Dowdall in 2008 (then 15) had bought a ticket to the city centre at the Fatima stop near her home in St Theresa’s Gardens, Dublin.

She had travelled on the Luas to the Museum stop where she had got off, midway in her journey, to meet a friend. As they had attempted to board the tram, she had been pushed back on to the platform on the basis she did not have a valid ticket.

Ms Pekaar told Circuit Court president Mr Justice Matthew Deery that Shauna, who is now 17, had felt embarrassment and distress for some time after the incident at what had happened.

She said Shauna had a valid ticket and it had been her intention to continue into town with her friend. She had stepped off the tram at the Museum to meet her friend but had been prevented from boarding again.

Ms Pekaar said that unfortunately Shauna had not retained her ticket and the evidence would be confined to that of herself and her friend.

She said the defendants which operate the Luas, Veolia Transport Ireland Ltd, had offered €5,000 damages to Shauna and she was recommending that the court approve of the offer. Mr Justice Deery approved the settlement and directed the money be paid into court until Shauna’s 18th birthday next July.