OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR OF EQUALITY INVESTIGATIONS
Equal Status Act 2000
EQUALITY OFFICER'S DECISION NO: DEC-S2002-032
David Sweeney
(Represented by the Citizens Information Centre Sligo)
V
The Ship Inn, Sligo
(Represented by McGovern Walsh & Co. Solicitors)
File No. ES/2001/611
Date of Issue 30/04/2002
Key words:Equal Status Act 2000 - Direct discrimination, section 3(1)(a) - Less favourable treatment - Discrimination by Association, section 3(1)(b) - Membership of the Traveller community, section 3(2)(i) - Supply of goods and services, section 5(1) - Refusal of service in a pub - Risk of disorderly conduct, section 15(1) - Action taken in good faith, section 15(2)
This dispute concerns a complaint by Mr David Sweeney that he was discriminated against, contrary to Sections 3(1) and 3(2)(i) of the Equal Status Act 2000, by the manager of the Ship Inn on the grounds of his membership of the Traveller community and his association with relatives who are also members of the Traveller community. The complainant maintains that he was discriminated against in not being provided with a service which is generally available to the public, contrary to Section 5(1) of the Act.