The Workplace Relations Commission found that Tesco Ireland Limited did not discriminate against Jennifer McInerney when it refused to sell her three National Lottery scratch cards at its Donnybrook store. The decision, dated 12 June 2024, said staff reasonably believed the cards might be shared with her 16-year-old sister.
McInerney, who was 18, said the refusal embarrassed and upset her. Tesco said staff followed its policy against proxy sales, where an adult buys an age-restricted product for a minor. The adjudication officer accepted that the refusal was based on the sister’s presence rather than McInerney’s age, and found it was a reasonable response to the perceived risk of an unlawful sale. The complaint was not well founded.