OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR OF EQUALITY INVESTIGATIONS
Equal Status Act 2000
EQUALITY OFFICER'S DECISION NO: DEC-S2002-030
Patrick Stokes
V
The Middle Shop Public House, Leixlip, Kildare
(represented by Mr. Proinsias Ó Maolchaláin, BL, acting on instructions
from L.C. O'Reilly Timmins, Solicitors)
File No. ES/2001/333
Date of Issue 26/04/2002
Headnotes: Equal Status Act, 2000 - Direct discrimination, section 3(1)(a) - Membership of the Traveller community, Section 3(2)(i) - Disposal of goods and supply of services, Section 5(1) - Refusal of service in a pub - Prima Facie case.
This dispute concerns a claim by Mr. Patrick Stokes that he was discriminated against by a member of staff of the Middle Shop public house contrary to the Equal Status Act, 2000, on the grounds that he is a member of the Traveller community. The complainant alleged that he was discriminated against on the Traveller community ground by the respondent when he was refused service in the pub on 11 March, 2001. The respondent accepted that Mr. Stokes was discriminated against by a member of staff and apologised for any distress caused.