Tribunal finds Mayo hotel guilty of discrimination against Traveller

A CO Mayo hotel has been found guilty of discrimination against a member of the Traveller community by the Equality Authority.

In a judgment published yesterday the Equality Authority said the Travellers Friend Hotel in Castlebar, Co Mayo, had failed to rebut an allegation that one of its barmen refused to serve a woman Traveller and two family members a drink on June 1st, 2003. It ordered the hotel to pay Ellen Maughan €800 "for the hurt and humiliation suffered".

In her evidence to the tribunal Ms Maughan said she visited the hotel with her mother and her sister-in-law. She had been in the hotel on only a few occasions previously and had never been involved in any trouble.

However, on this occasion a barman said he could not serve them. Ms Maughan said the barman, who was unfamiliar to her, would not give any reason for the refusal. Her recollection was that she had asked the barman for his name that night and he had given the name "Terry".

She said that the refusal caused her great upset and that she was very embarrassed by what happened. As a result of the refusal, Ms Maughan said that she has not been back to the hotel since.

At the hearing the hotel was represented by three staff members including Des Hynes, the general manager. Mr Hynes told the hearing that the hotel did not operate a policy of discrimination against Travellers.

He said there was no incident report available and the hotel had not been able to identify the staff member involved. As it had not been possible to establish exactly who had refused service, the hotel was unable to offer an explanation as to what happened.

However, equality officer Brian O'Byrne said Ms Maughan had provided "clear and credible evidence" and had sent a written note of complaint to the hotel on June 4th, 2003.