Gerry O'Grady will face disciplinary proceedings if and when he returns to work for Dublin Bus, according to a spokesman for the company. He has been on unpaid leave at his own request since last Thursday week, the day of the court case. A spokesman for Dublin Bus said that if O'Grady reported for work he would be taken back, but would not be driving a bus pending a disciplinary hearing arising out of the convictions. He would be entitled to be represented by his union at such a hearing, he said. Sanctions would range from suspension to dismissal.
O'Grady is a member of SIPTU. A spokeswoman for the union said his case would be looked at in the overall context of the existing disciplinary procedures agreed with Dublin Bus.
According to the Dublin Bus spokesman, this is the first time a bus-driver has been convicted of assaulting a passenger. O'Grady's previous conviction for assault did not arise from an incident at work. "We are only concerned with what happened with O'Grady as a bus-driver. We would not condone any word or action by any employee which could be construed as racist; we would condemn it," he said.
Meanwhile, O'Grady said yesterday through his solicitor, Mr Cormac O Ceallaigh, that he was considering all his options in relation to an appeal against the conviction and sentence.
"He is disappointed with the decision," said Mr O'Ceallaigh. "He wants to extend his thanks to all his colleagues in CIE who have been very supportive. He would like time to consider his options."
About five of O'Grady's colleagues were in court yesterday.
Despite being pursued the length of Richmond Street by journalists, the man at the centre of the case, Mr Matthew John, refused to comment on its outcome.