Visually impaired nun awarded €6,300

A visually impaired nun was today awarded the maximum possible award in a discrimination case under the Intoxicating Liqour Act.

Sister Brid Smith was refused entry to Conway's Pub and Restaurant in Blackrock, Co. Dublin because she was accompanied by her guide dog.

Niall Crowley of the Equality Authority said he wasn’t surprised that the woman received the maximum payout as she was treated very badly: “She arrived in the pub in the afternoon to have a cup of coffee - she was refused service and told very abruptly to get out by an employee,” he said.

“The award that the district court made of €6,300 is the maximum award allowed and this is hugely important in sending out a very strong and unequivocal message that discrimination in this area is not only unacceptable but it will also be very costly.”