Traveller complaints to tribunal over pubs jump to 76 a month

AN average of 76 complaints per month by Travellers that pubs, hotels and nightclubs are discriminating against them are being referred for investigation under equality law.

Figures published yesterday by the Office of the Director of Equality Investigations (ODEI) show that Traveller complaints about public services are up almost 50% on last year, at 459 for the first six months of 2002 compared to 632 for all of 2001.

Awards to Travellers are also topping the payout list; out of 31,950 awarded for the first six months of the year under the Equal Status Act 2000, 31,350 went to members of the Travelling community.