The Workplace Relations Commission found that Oriel House Hotel Limited discriminated against Joseph O'Donovan by association with the Traveller community, and directed the hotel to pay him €3,000. The decision was dated 25 October 2023.
O'Donovan's complaint under the Equal Status Acts concerned the refusal of accommodation and meals for his family at the hotel. His partner had booked four rooms, dinner and breakfast, paying €600 in advance. The hotel said it had overbooked after a booking error and denied knowing of O'Donovan's association with the Traveller community.
The adjudicator found the hotel had implied knowledge of that association and that its overbooking explanation was not supported by credible evidence. He concluded that the association was the material reason O'Donovan was denied accommodation and meals. Discrimination by association means treating someone less favourably because of their connection to a person in a protected group. The Commission also directed the hotel to prepare an Equal Status compliance policy and train staff and management.