The Workplace Relations Commission rejected Constanta Covaci’s complaint that landlord Kealan O’Connor discriminated against her on race and housing assistance grounds in connection with renting an apartment and a Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) application. Adjudication officer John Harraghy’s decision was dated 18 February 2025.
Covaci’s case included an allegation that O’Connor requested €100 weekly holding payments while the HAP process was pending and failed to provide documents that could clarify the requested rent. O’Connor said he supplied the documents HAP sought, supported the application and offered another apartment after the first application was rejected. The adjudication officer recorded conflicting accounts and found no prima facie case of discrimination, noting O’Connor’s engagement with HAP and that the rent had been stated from the outset.