Proper order, it looks like the Dublin County Councils had it coming. I came across this article in the Irish Independent today. Kudos to Mr Des Murphy for taking the action.

I have copied the complete article below

A BLIND man has won his battle to cross the streets of Dublin in safety.

Des Murphy lodged a claim of discrimination against Dublin City Council after it switched off audible signals at some pedestrian crossings in the city centre.

The sounds, which aid visually impaired people in crossing streets, were turned off by the council at a number of locations in the summer of 2004.

Mr Murphy (79) from Dublin’s Drumcondra said he found it very difficult to walk the city centre streets safely and independently without the signals.

“It became dangerous,” he said, adding it first became a problem in 2004 when the signals were turned off during construction work around O’Connell St and St Stephen’s Green.

Before the signals were turned off, Mr Murphy said: “I was very independent, I felt confident going in around town once I got to know the crossings and signals. I felt humiliated having to ask people passing by to help me cross the road.”

Confusion

The council said it switched off the audible signals in cases where pedestrian crossings were located close to each other.

They claimed this was due to confusion caused for sighted pedestrians who might mistakenly cross the road on hearing the signal from a nearby crossing.

The National Council for the Blind of Ireland (NCBI) said the decision to switch off the signals was taken without publicity and without consulting the group.

Mr Murphy, who lodged a claim of discrimination on disability grounds under the Equal Status Act, agreed a settlement of €4,000 with the council, without admission of liability.

The council agreed to switch on audible signals at junctions where the poles are over three metres apart. It also agreed to consult with the NCBI twice a year.

Mr Murphy said he felt safe crossing the street in the city again.

Des Kenny, the NCBI’s chief executive, urged other local authorities to follow the council’s lead and ensure the visually-impaired were looked after.

Niall Crowley, from the Equality Authority, said: “The decision taken by Dublin City Council in relation to the audible units demonstrated a complete disregard for the needs of people with vision impairments.”

He said equality for people with disabilities will only be achieved where their needs are taken into account in all decision making.

Louise Hogan