The Workplace Relations Commission rejected Katie Byrne’s disability discrimination complaint after she was refused entry to a supermarket in Kells while not wearing a face mask. The decision, dated 2 March 2023, found that discrimination had not been made out and the complaint failed.
Byrne said she had a medical exemption and that refusing her entry amounted to disability discrimination and a failure to provide reasonable accommodation. She sought an apology rather than financial compensation. The store denied discrimination and said click and collect and home delivery were available.
The WRC concluded that Byrne had not established a prima facie case of discrimination under the Equal Status Act. In plain terms, it found she had not first shown enough evidence to support her claim.