The Workplace Relations Commission found that Oriel House Hotel Limited discriminated against Margaret O’Sullivan on the Traveller community ground and directed the hotel to pay her €5,000 compensation. The decision was dated 25 October 2023.
O’Sullivan’s Equal Status complaint concerned the hotel’s refusal to provide accommodation and meals booked for her family. She said four rooms, dinner and breakfast had been arranged and €600 paid in advance, but the family was turned away after being told the hotel was overbooked. The hotel denied discrimination, saying it did not know the family were Travellers and that overbooking caused the cancellation.
The adjudication officer found the hotel had implied knowledge of the family’s Traveller identity. The officer said the hotel had not provided credible evidence that overbooking caused the cancellation: the manager’s explanation changed, and the hotel’s records showed only one overbooked night that month, the night of the family’s booking. The WRC also directed the hotel to prepare an Equal Status compliance policy and train staff and management on their responsibilities.