The Workplace Relations Commission found that Mulroy Woods Hotel discriminated against Martin McDonagh because he is a member of the Traveller community, and awarded him €5,000. The decision was dated 16 October 2024.
McDonagh said his booking was cancelled for lack of availability, but later bookings at the hotel using other surnames were accepted. The adjudication officer found that the cancellation and subsequent bookings established a presumption of discrimination. The hotel did not attend the hearing or provide evidence to rebut it. Under the Equal Status Act, a complainant must first establish facts supporting a presumption of discrimination; the respondent then has to prove otherwise.