Disabled commuters report humiliating remarks on public transport

Disabled public transport users have spoken about being challenged by fellow passengers when requesting a seat or assistance.

On Newstalk’s Lunchtime Live programme, several callers described incidents on trains. Jess Ní Mhaoláin, who has a vision impairment and uses a white cane, recounted asking a man to move from a designated disabled seat. After he reluctantly complied, a nearby woman loudly declared, “If she’s that disabled, she shouldn’t be at work,” leaving Ní Mhaoláin feeling embarrassed and humiliated.

Audrey Torney, who is blind and currently uses a cane while awaiting a new guide dog, said she usually books a disability‑reserved seat when travelling outside Dublin to avoid standing. She noted that most people are helpful, but occasional reluctance can be met with a simple explanation about the need for a seat for herself and her guide dog.

Paddy Smyth, a social‑media personality with cerebral palsy who uses crutches, added that he frequently encounters passengers who ignore him or refuse to give up a seat, forcing him to ask directly.

The callers highlighted the ongoing issue of inadequate respect for disabled passengers, despite the presence of clearly marked seats and areas intended for those who need them.

Source: Newstalk. Photo: Claudia Schmalz / Pexels.