Courts / Cork / Report
Charity shop customer who became 'aggressive' while demanding refund loses equality claim
Summary
Ciprian Constantin, a Romanian national of Roma ethnicity, lost his discrimination claim against Cobh Youth Services CLG, trading as Re-Store, before the Workplace Relations Commission. The adjudicating officer, Lefre de Burgh, rejected the complaint under the Equal Status Act 2000, finding no link to race or ethnicity in the incident. Constantin alleged he was harassed and barred after demanding a refund for a faulty printer he did not have in his possession. The shop's operator denied discrimination, arguing he was lawfully refused service for aggressive behaviour. Evidence from shop worker Saoirse McCarthy indicated Constantin demanded a refund without the item and made threatening remarks. The adjudicator accepted McCarthy's evidence that Constantin's conduct was aggressive, noting that videos provided by Constantin contradicted his claim of remaining calm. She stated that not getting one's way after forcefully demanding it does not indicate discrimination. Constantin eventually secured a refund two weeks after the incident. The matter was decided at the hearing stage, with the adjudicator's decision published today.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Charity shop customer who became 'aggressive' while demanding refund loses equality claim. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision
When:
- August 2024 Incident
- 8 August 2024 Incident
- 21 August Other
- 8 August Incident
- August 8th Other
- 2026-06-25 Publication
Why: Just because I have a louder voice, you cannot say that I was aggressive," Mr Constantin said when he was asked about the material. CNI source report
Case subjects
Applicant
Places mentioned
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