The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) awarded Margaret McCarthy €5,000 after finding Johnny's Restaurant and Takeaway discriminated against her because she is a member of the Traveller Community. In a decision dated 13 March 2025, adjudication officer Úna Glazier-Farmer upheld McCarthy's Equal Status Act complaint about refusal of service.
McCarthy said the dispute began when she complained about her soup and asked for tea instead. She alleged the owner ordered her to leave, attempted to strangle her and made an obscene gesture as she left. The respondent did not appear at the hearing. The officer found that McCarthy was refused service and subjected to verbal and physical prohibited conduct because of her membership of the Traveller Community.