Traveller reception for 150 guests is cancelled on eve of wedding

A young Traveller couple getting married this afternoon had their reception cancelled yesterday by the manager of the venue.

Caroline Connors (19) and Stephen Collins (19), from Finglas, Dublin, are to marry at Priorswood Church in Coolock and had planned a buffet for 150 guests in The Shanty bar, Mulhuddart.

Ann Collins, the groom's mother, said the booking had been made "months and months ago". The bride was "devastated".

"The photo-man is paid for, the cakes are paid for, the dress and suits are all paid for and then we got a call at 12.30 this afternoon from the manager and he says the reception is off. He said he had got a message from the Garda in Blanchardstown that he wasn't to have any Traveller functions."

The Shanty's manager Derek Bernes denied telling the families he had been told by the gardaí not to have Traveller functions. He said there had been trouble outside the bar recently involving Travellers following a Blessing of the Graves ceremony.

"All hell broke loose and I got a letter from guards saying it was my responsibility. I have great respect for the Travellers. I have close friends who are Travellers but I just can't take the risk of trouble any more."

Blanchardstown gardaí said it was "highly, highly unlikely" that any publican would be issued with an instruction to stop taking bookings from Travellers.

Martin Collins, of the Traveller support group Pavee Point, said "the local gardaí did write to the Shanty pub and told them they needed to clean up their act, but there was absolutely no mention of not welcoming Travellers".

Under the terms of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2000 it is illegal for any licensed premises to discriminate against Travellers.