Courts / Cork / Report

Hotel owned by Supermac's founder 'fell below threshold of decency' by refusing emergency accommodation for Traveller family

Summary

The Workplace Relations Commission has ordered Atlantic Troy Ltd, trading as the Charleville Park Hotel, to pay €22,000 in compensation to Bridget O'Reilly, her partner Phillip O'Neill, and their two sons. The adjudicator found that the hotel, owned by Supermac's founder Pat McDonagh and his wife Una McDonagh, discriminated against the family under the Equal Status Act by refusing emergency accommodation on 28 September 2020. The complainants alleged they were denied a three-night stay because the hotel insisted on a credit card in the guest's name, a policy the adjudicator determined was a device to exclude those receiving housing assistance. The adjudicator found that membership of the Travelling Community was a material factor in the refusal, noting the hotel's stance fell below the threshold of decency. The hotel strenuously denied discrimination, arguing the family sought a home rather than hotel accommodation and citing previous damage caused by other Traveller groups. However, the adjudicator found the hotel's evidence inconsistent and upheld the complaints on grounds of housing assistance and Traveller status. The compensation breakdown includes €8,000 for Ms. O'Reilly, €8,000 for Mr. O'Neill, and €3,000 for each son. This ruling marks the second time this year the hotel has been ordered to compensate members of the Travelling community for similar discriminatory practices.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Hotel owned by Supermac's founder 'fell below threshold of decency' by refusing emergency accommodation for Traveller family. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision

When:

• 28 September 2020 Other
• 25 September 2018 Hearing Or Sentence
• 30 September Other
• January 2021 Other
• 2022-03-02 Publication

Why: He said Ms O'Reilly was refused a booking in the first instance because her family could not comply with its credit card policy. CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Hearing Or Decision

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Read the original CNI report