Courts / Dublin / Report

WRC can't rule on claim by hearing-impaired diner over 'obscenely loud' music at Dublin restaurant

Date
2024-05-22
Stage
Hearing Or Decision
Primary locality
Dublin
County
Dublin

Summary

The Workplace Relations Commission ruled it had no authority to decide a discrimination claim lodged by Emily Brady, a hearing‑impaired patron, against the Dublin restaurant 777 on George's Street. Brady alleged that the venue's sound system was "obscenely loud" and that staff refused to lower the volume when she requested it, claiming the music was part of the restaurant's vibe. She filed a complaint under the Equal Status Act 2000, stating she could not converse with friends and had to hand over orders. The restaurant's management, represented by JFR Ltd., denied the allegations, asserting the sound system automatically adjusted to the premises' busyness and would not interfere with conversation. The manager, Pepé Rodriguez, and waitress Christine Noguera denied that Brady had disclosed her disability, contrary to Brady's testimony. The adjudicator, David James Murphy, noted that the Equal Status Act's jurisdiction does not extend to licensed premises, and therefore the WRC could not rule on the matter.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: WRC can't rule on claim by hearing-impaired diner over 'obscenely loud' music at Dublin restaurant. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision

When:

Why: The Workplace Relations Commission has determined it has no power to rule on a discrimination claim against a "notoriously loud" restaurant by a hearing-impaired patron who claimed its staff refused to turn down a sound system "because of the vibe". CNI source report

Case subjects

Equal Status Act

Applicant

Places mentioned

Address Area
  • George's Street
Secondary Mention

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