WRC dismisses Traveller discrimination complaint against Clare County Council

The Workplace Relations Commission dismissed Cornelius O'Donoghue’s Equal Status complaint against Clare County Council, finding it frivolous under section 22 of the Equal Status Act. Adjudication Officer Janet Hughes dated the decision 1 May 2025. No award was recorded. O'Donoghue alleged discrimination linked to his Traveller identity after the Council replaced blocks at the entrance to Council land where his family had placed their home. The Council said it replaced them to prevent further unauthorised access. Hughes found the events involved neither a service nor accommodation covered by the Act, so the decision did not determine whether discrimination occurred on its merits.