DEC-S2005/104-107 Full Case Report
Simon & Kathleen O’Donnell, Eddie & Winnie Stokes -v- The Steering Wheel Bar, Dublin
1. Dispute
1.1 This dispute concerns claims by Simon & Kathleen O’Donnell and Eddie & Winnie Stokes that they were discriminated against by the respondent, contrary to the Equal Status Act, 2000, on the grounds that they are members of the Traveller community in that on 25 May 2002, they were refused service in the respondent premises.
The complainants 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 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 Complainant’s Case.
2.1 The complainants state that they went to the Steering Wheel Bar on the 25 May, 2002. They were served two rounds of drinks and were then refused further service because of their Traveller status.
3. Summary of Respondent’s Case
3.1 The respondent did not reply to correspondence from the complainants or from the Tribunal.
4 Outcome of Hearing.
4.1 The complainants did not attend at the scheduled Hearing of their complaints on 15 June 2005 and subsequently failed to respond to correspondence from their representative.
In the circumstances the complainants have failed to establish a prima facie case of discrimination on any of the grounds under the Equal Status Acts.
5 Decision
5.1 I find that the complainants were not discriminated against on the Traveller community ground contrary to Section 3(1) and 3(2)(i) of the Equal Status Act and in terms of Section 5(1) of that Act. The finding is in favour of the respondent.
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Dolores Kavanagh
Equality Officer
11 July, 2005