Courts / Ireland / Report

Hotel must pay €5k to Traveller woman over wedding booking discrimination

Summary

In May 2022 a hotel was ordered to pay €5,000 to a Traveller bride‑to‑be who claimed she was discriminated against after a wedding showcase in July 2019. The bride had visited the venue on 21 July 2019 to meet the wedding co‑ordinator, but was left waiting for a long time and felt the staff were looking at her. She later emailed the co‑ordinator twice, but received no reply. The hotel, represented by Hassett Considine Solicitors, denied discrimination, arguing it hosts Traveller weddings and employs a Traveller. The adjudicating officer noted differing recollections between the bride and the co‑ordinator, and accepted that the hotel failed to rebut the bride's claim of discrimination in subsequent communication. The decision awarded the bride €5,000 in compensation. The case was decided under the Equal Status Act.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Hotel must pay €5k to Traveller woman over wedding booking discrimination. Procedural stage: charge_or_pretrial

When:

• February 2020 Other
• July 2019 Other
• 21 July Other
• November 2019 Other
• October 2019 Other
• 2022-05-23 Publication

Why: Immediately after the wedding showcase, the wedding co-ordinator said she took compassionate leave because of "serious personal difficulties" and did not return to work until October 2019. CNI source report

Case subjects

Topics

Stage Charge Or Pretrial

Read the original CNI report