The Workplace Relations Commission found that Mulleady's Limited discriminated against Martin Mongan, a member of the Traveller community, in the provision of skip-hire services and directed the company to pay him €2,000 compensation. The decision was dated 15 September 2022.
Mongan said the company initially refused to deliver a skip to his halting site and later offered service on restricted terms. The company said the restrictions reflected safety concerns and applied to some housing estates. After listening to a recording of the call, the adjudicator found that the company’s initial response established a prima facie case of discrimination.
The company did not provide direct evidence of a substantial risk of damage if it delivered the skip on its usual terms, and it could not produce a written policy for the reduced service. The adjudicator found that the company had not satisfactorily rebutted Mongan’s case and that it engaged in prohibited conduct. Mongan declined the reduced service and arranged another way to take his items to the company’s depot. The €2,000 compensation was for the effects of the discrimination.