Portmarnock 'wrong to operate men-only membership'

A top golf club was today declared to have breached the Equal Status Act by refusing to enrol women members.

The landmark ruling was handed down by the Irish District Court against Portmarnock Golf Club, Co Dublin.

But a decision about sanctions against the club, one of the most exclusive in Ireland, was adjourned by the female district court judge, pending the outcome of a High Court action.

In the High Court, Portmarnock has claimed the legislation involved runs counter to Ireland’s written constitution.

The Government-appointed Equality Authority initiated action against the club last November, claiming its men-only policy was discriminatory because of the four-year-old Equal Status Act.

The club has maintained that as a private organisation it is entitled to decide its own membership policy.

It also argued the Act did not prohibit its membership policy and only referred to discrimination against people who were already members.

Under current rules, women are allowed play at Portmarnock but cannot hold full membership and are restricted to using the course at specified times.

Club captain Bruce Mitchell told the court that since the introduction of the equal status law, the club had, on three occasions, discussed the possibility of permitting women members. But in each case, there had been “overwhelming” opposition to change.

Today’s ruling was delivered by District Court judge Mary Collins.

The Equality Authority pressed for the club’s certificate of registration to be suspended – a move that would prevent the sale of alcohol there for a 30-day period – but Judge Collins declined to levy any sanction.

After the courtroom development, the authority welcomed the decision, describing it as “important, not just for women golfers, but for women in general.”

The golf club said only that it would await a High Court judgment before making a comment.

Fiona O’Malley, who represents the Progressive Democrats in the Dáil, also welcomed the court ruling.

She said it was “legal confirmation that Portmarnock is actively discriminating against women,” and added “I think it is reprehensible that a golf club could prevent women from becoming members.

“I am delighted that the Equality Authority took this case. Today’s ruling will have implications for other clubs in the country who also discriminate against women and deliberately put obstacles in their way.

“Despite bad press and pressure from various women’s groups, Portmarnock buried its head in the sand and refused to change its archaic and discriminatory policy.

“The Equality Authority was therefore perfectly correct in taking the club to court.

“While, thankfully, Portmarnock is one of only a handful of dinosaur-like institutions left in this country, this ruling sends out a positive message that in today’s society, the exclusion of women will not be tolerated.”