DEC-S2002-077

OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR OF EQUALITY INVESTIGATIONS

Equal Status Act 2000
EQUALITY OFFICER'S DECISION NO: DEC-S2002-077

Kathleen Maughan
(represented by Galway Traveller Support Group)
V
Options Store, Galway
(represented by Silke & Co., Solicitors, Galway)

File No. ES/2001/529
Date of Issue 25/06/2002

Headnotes:Equal Status Act, 2000 - Discrimination, Section 3(1)(a) - Membership of the Traveller community, Section 3(2)(i) - Disposal of goods and supply of services, Section 5(1) - Prima facie case.

This dispute concerns a claim by Ms. Kathleen Maughan that she was discriminated against, by the respondent, contrary to the Equal Status Act 2000, on the grounds that she is a member of the Traveller community when she was stopped outside the respondent's premises on 6 June 2001 and asked to produce a receipt for an item which she had purchased. The respondent denies that the complainant was discriminated against and states that the complainant was only one of many people who were stopped and asked to produce receipts, a policy which was introduced due to large losses incurred by the respondent due to an increase in shoplifting.

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