Man alleged to have told Belmullet staff everyone was 'brainwashed' loses mask discrimination claim

A man has lost a discrimination claim brought against a Co Mayo hardware store after the Workplace Relations Commission found no evidence that his treatment was based on disability. The complainant alleged he was refused service at Homevalue in Belmullet on 22 March 2021 after declining to wear a face mask, which he said he was exempt from on health grounds. Staff at the store maintained the refusal to serve was not connected to any disability. Adjudicating officer Janet Hughes noted that the complainant never mentioned a medical condition or exemption to the cashier during the initial exchange, only referencing an exemption in general terms. The hearing was told the incident occurred during a period when Belmullet experienced particularly high Covid-19 infection rates. The manager subsequently authorised service when he returned to the premises. Ms Hughes found the refusal to serve was not disability-related and accordingly dismissed the Equal Status Act claim against Aurivo Co-Operative Society Limited.