Travellers compensated over pub discrimination

Several travellers have been awarded hundreds of euro compensation after they were refused service in pubs, the Equality Tribunal revealed today.

In a novel way of dealing with discrimination, Limerick publican Vincent Redmond has been told to invite the traveller he ordered out of his bar back for a night out.

Michael Stokes had gone to Redmond’s Cellar House in February 2003 with his friend, local taxi driver Joseph Doyle. When he tried to order a drink a female bartender refused him.

Mr Stokes asked for the owner and claimed that when publican Vincent Redmond came into the bar a few minutes later he said the pair would not be served adding: “We don’t want any more Stokes in here.”

Mr Redmond was ordered to pay Mr Stokes €300 and give him a written invitation to come back to the pub.

In another case, the owner of Dolan’s Bar and Lounge in Mullingar, Colin Dolan, refused a husband and wife service. Traveller Sheila McDonnell had gone with husband Peter, who is not a traveller, to the bar in October 2002.

They claimed Mr Dolan called Mrs McDonnell “excess baggage” and refused them service. The couple were awarded €600 for hurt and humiliation.

In a final ruling, the Royal George Hotel in Limerick, which has since closed, was found to have discriminated against travellers in August 2002.

John and Michael Connors had gone to the Royal George to watch a football match in August 2002.

They were served one drink but when they tried to order a second round the barman said the manager had instructed him not to give them any more.

They were then asked to leave. The pair were awarded €500 each.

Claims that three other pubs discriminated against travellers were not upheld by the tribunal.