Jim Desmond’s WRC discrimination claim found mistaken

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

Jim Desmond’s complaints of discrimination and victimisation under the Equal Status Act were rejected by the Workplace Relations Commission, reported on 19 April 2023.

Adjudicating officer Patsy Doyle found no less favourable treatment by the Association of Irish Racecourses and said Desmond was mistaken in his victimisation claim.

Desmond had complained that he was refused access to indoor shelter while taking bets at Mallow Racecourse on October 31st 2021.

He accepted that his statutory notification had not identified any disability or other protected characteristic, while AIR said betting-ring rules could have resolved the dispute.