Courts / Waterford / Report

Aspiring monk who accused monastery of 'anti-Traveller prejudice' loses claim

Summary

The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) ruled that it had no jurisdiction to consider John Malone's complaint under the Equal Status Act 2000 that he was denied entry to Silverstream Priory because he mentioned his father was a Traveller. Malone, aged 53, claimed he had been invited to stay at the monastery's guest house in July 2022 and offered a place, but that the prior's attitude changed after he disclosed his Traveller heritage. An internal email from the prior expressed doubts about Malone, and the master of novices later stated that Malone's conduct at a retreat made it "not advisable" for him to join, citing his age and lack of engagement. The WRC found the complaint "not well founded" and dismissed it, noting it had no authority to adjudicate the matter. The case remains unresolved.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Aspiring monk who accused monastery of 'anti-Traveller prejudice' loses claim. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision

When:

• July 2022 Other
• 16 August Other
• February 2023 Other
• 2024-10-31 Publication

Why: A tribunal has said it has no authority to rule on a claim that an aspiring monk was denied a place in a monastery because he mentioned that his father was a Traveller. CNI source report

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Hearing Or Decision

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Read the original CNI report