OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR OF EQUALITY INVESTIGATIONS
Equal Status Act 2000
EQUALITY OFFICER'S DECISION NO: DEC-S2002-112
Patrick O'Donnell
(represented by Regan, McEntee & Partners, Solicitors)
v
Kells Hire Ltd
(represented by Nathaniel Lacy & Partners, Solicitors)
File No. ES/2001/730
Date of Issue 9/10/2002
Key words:Equal Status Act 2000 - Direct discrimination, section 3(1)(a) - Membership of the Traveller community, section 3(2)(i) - Supply of goods and services, section 5(1) - Refusal to hire equipment - Establishment of a prima facie case
This dispute concerns a complaint by Patrick O'Donnell that he was discriminated against, contrary to the Equal Status Act 2000, by the management of Kells Hire Ltd. The complainant maintains that he was discriminated against on the Traveller community ground in terms of sections 3(1) and 3(2)(i) of the Equal Status Act 2000 in not being provided with a service which is generally available to the public contrary to Section 5(1) of the Act.