Courts / Ireland / Report

Hotel accused of concocting website glitch to 'legitimise' Traveller discrimination must pay €5k

Summary

In a tribunal decision dated 30 October 2024, the Mulroy Woods Hotel was found to have breached the Equal Status Act 2000 by discriminating against Martin McDonagh, a member of the Traveller Community, on the basis of his surname. McDonagh had booked a stay for himself and his family on 20 August 2023 through Booking.com under his own name. The hotel informed him at 12.40 pm on 19 August that it had no availability and cancelled the booking, citing a "glitch" on the Booking.com site. McDonagh then re‑booked the same night under the surname of a relative, Fitzgerald, and the reservation was accepted. He later made two further bookings for other family members, all of which were confirmed without issue. McDonagh claimed he was denied accommodation because of his Traveller identity and that the hotel used the alleged website glitch to justify its refusal.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Hotel accused of concocting website glitch to 'legitimise' Traveller discrimination must pay €5k. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision

When:

• 20 August 2023 Other
• 19 August Other
• 20 August Other
• 2024-10-30 Publication

Why: In a decision published today, the Mulroy Woods Hotel was found in breach of the Equal Status Act 2000 after upholding a complaint by Martin McDonagh, who claimed he had been "denied accommodation" because he was a member of the Travelling Community. CNI source report

Topics

Stage Hearing Or Decision

Read the original CNI report