Michael Stokes, Christopher Stokes & Brian Mongan
V
Dunne's Public House, Leitrim
(Represented by Peter Martin Solicitors)
Michael Stokes, Christopher Stokes and Brian Mongan each referred a claim to the Director of Equality Investigations under the Equal Status Act 2000. In accordance with her powers under section 75 of the Employment Equality Act, the Director then delegated the case to me, Bernadette Treanor, an Equality Officer, for investigation, hearing and decision and for the exercise of other relevant functions of the Director under Part III of the Equal Status Act.
Background
These cases were assigned to me on 28/9/2005. On 5/12/2005 this Office wrote to the parties setting the hearing date for 23/1/2006. The only address available for the complainants on file was their representative's address. On 12/1/2006 I received a letter from the complainants' solicitor stating that he was no longer representing them and providing a contact address for the complainants. He also provided a copy of his letter to the complainants informing them of his position. The hearing was then adjourned at the request of the respondent and re-scheduled for 2/3/2006. All parties were informed by letter, the one for the complainants going to the one address provided. On the day of the hearing, 2/3/2006, the complainants failed to appear. On that basis I find that the complainants have failed to support the allegations made on their claims to the Tribunal and as such have failed to establish a prima facie case of discrimination.
Decision DEC-S2006-041
As the complainants have failed to establish a prima facie case of discrimination on the Traveller ground, this decision is in favour of the respondent.
Bernadette Treanor
Equality Officer
May 2006