Golf club ban illegal but women face wait to join

WOMEN eager to join a men-only golf club in north Dublin will have to wait a little longer despite a judge’s ruling that the ban breaches equality legislation.

Portmarnock Golf Club is challenging the constitutionality of the Equal Status Act in the High Court and has no plans to admit females members until those proceedings are complete.

In Dublin District Court yesterday, Judge Mary Collins ruled the golf club discriminated against women by not allowing them to become members and therefore fully participate in the running of the club. Judge Collins deferred sanctioning the club until after the High Court rules.