William Corcoran
V
The Lough and Quay Public House
1. Dispute
1.1 This dispute concerns a claim by William Corcoran that on 6 June 2003, he was denied a service in the respondent premises. The complainant 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 1998 and under the Equal Status Act 2000, the Director then delegated the case to me, Dolores Kavanagh, 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.
2. Summary of Complainants' Case
2.1 The complainant stated in his written complaint that he was refused service by the respondent on 6 June 2003. The complainant claims that the refusal was based on his membership of the Traveller community.
3. Summary of Respondent's Case
3.1 In reply to the complainant's written notification of his complaint to the respondent the latter stated that the refusal of service was based on the complainant's unruly behaviour on the date in question.
4. Outcome of Hearing - Prima Facie Case
4.1. The complainant did not attend at the scheduled Hearing of his complaint on 15 November 2007. No reason was provided for his non-attendance. As the complainant was not present at the Hearing he failed to establish a prima facie case of discrimination.
5. Decision
The complainant has not established a prima facie case of discrimination on any of the grounds covered by the Equal Status Acts 2000-2004. I find therefore that the complainant was not discriminated against on any of the grounds covered in the Equal Status Acts in terms of Section 3(1)(a), and 3(2) and Section 5(1) of those Acts.
______________________________
Dolores Kavanagh
Equality Officer
27 November, 2007