Courts / Louth / Report

Chef let go after boss became aware he was settled traveller wins discrimination case

Date
2022-07-21

Stage
Hearing Or Decision

Primary locality
Drogheda

County
Louth

Summary

David McDonagh, a settled Traveller, was dismissed by Harmony Catering Services Ltd after only two days of work. He had completed a trial shift on 31 January 2020, which the head chef praised as satisfactory. On 4 February, the managing director, who had previously given McDonagh a lift home, informed him that the company believed he lacked the necessary skills. McDonagh claimed the dismissal was triggered by the director's awareness of his Traveller status. The Workplace Relations Commission found that the company had no evidence of incompetence and that the dismissal was discriminatory. McDonagh was awarded €4,160 in compensation, equivalent to six months' minimum‑wage pay, for unlawful workplace discrimination. The decision upheld his prima facie case and rejected the company's defence. The award was the maximum permitted under the Employment Equality Act.