The Equality Tribunal rejected Martina Power’s claim that Heatons discriminated against her on the Traveller ground over a curtain refund. Equality Officer Gary O’Doherty’s decision was dated 10 July 2009.
Power said another customer used the receipt for curtains she had bought to get a refund, and that the shop manager told her she would also be watched. Heatons’ manager denied accusing Power of involvement and said staff kept watch over all customers for assistance and security.
The Equality Officer found Power had not shown she was treated less favourably because she was a Traveller. The manager had resolved the refund issue rather than immediately contacting Gardaí, and any comment about watching reflected the shop’s general practice and would have been made regardless of Power’s identity. The complaint failed.