The Equality Tribunal found against Thomas Quinn, Margaret Quinn and their children on their Equal Status complaint against Ennis Town Council after the complainants failed to attend the hearing. The Equality Officer’s decision was dated 14 January 2009; the merits were not decided.
The family alleged discrimination on the Traveller community ground over housing and related accommodation needs. Ennis Town Council argued the complaint should proceed against Clare County Council, which it said had primary statutory responsibility for housing. The Equality Officer found Ennis Town Council was the proper respondent under the Act’s vicarious liability provision and that the referrals met the statutory time limits.
The complainants’ representative attended, but the complainants were absent on both hearing days and no reason was given. The Equality Officer said no evidence supporting the discrimination allegation had been presented.