localnews.ie

Courts / Meath / Report

'I sat at the side, waiting and watching': Tayto Park accused of discriminating against disabled mum

Date
2023-02-09
Stage
Hearing Or Decision
Primary locality
Enfield
County
Meath

Summary

Alison Walsh, a disabled mother of two from Enfield, Co Meath, claimed that Tayto Park discriminated against her when it refused to issue a queue assistance pass because she could not produce a doctor's letter. She had shown her disabled driver's badge, adapted car licence and Public Services Card, but could not find medical correspondence on her phone that day. The park's policy required a letter stating an exact diagnosis for those with an "inability to queue." Walsh, who suffers from muscle seizures, spasms and incontinence due to spina bifida and neurosarcoidosis, said she was forced to wait on the side while her family enjoyed the park. The case was heard by the Workplace Relations Commission under the Equal Status Act 2000, with the park's managing director acknowledging the policy's shortcomings and promising that future visitors with a blue badge could receive a pass at the discretion of a manager.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: 'I sat at the side, waiting and watching': Tayto Park accused of discriminating against disabled mum. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision

When:

Why: "The park's great, the children loved it, but we haven't returned, and we didn't because of the treatment we received," her sister added. CNI source report

Places mentioned

Address Area
  • Tayto Park
  • Emerald Park
  • The park
Residence

Topics

Stage Hearing Or Decision

Related court reports

Read the original CNI report

Correction or retraction request

If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.

Email a correction request