This dispute concerns claims by Eddie & Ellen McDonagh, Kathleen & Edward Stokes that on 21 August 2002, they were treated in a discriminatory manner by a member of the respondent’s staff. The complainants each referred a claim to the Director of Equality Investigations under the Equal Status Act 2000. In accordance with her powers under section 75 of the Employment Equality Act 1998 and under the Equal Status Act 2000, the Director then delegated the cases to me, Dolores Kavanagh, an Equality Officer, for investigation, hearing and decision and for the exercise of this and other relevant functions of the Director under Part III of the Equal Status Act. The Hearing of these complaints was held on Thursday, 17 November 2005.

The dispute concerns a claim by Bridget Casey and Nora Casey that they were discriminated against by Clohessy’s Bar on the ground that they are members of the Traveller Community in that they were refused a service which is generally available to the public. The complainants allege that the respondent discriminated against them in terms of Sections 3(1)(a), and 3(2)(i) of the Equal Status Act, 2000 contrary to Section 5(1) of that Act.

The dispute concerns a claim by Mr. John Kealy that he was discriminated against by Enzo’s Cafe on the ground that he is a member of the Traveller Community in that he was refused a service which is generally available to the public. The complainant alleged that the respondent discriminated against him in terms of Sections 3(1)(a), and 3(2)(i) of the Equal Status Act, 2000 contrary to Section 5(1) of that Act.

This dispute concerns a claim by Martin Stokes that he was discriminated against on the grounds of his membership of the Traveller Community and Race when he was refused service in the John Kiely’s Public House on 12th September 2002. The complainant has alleged that the treatment he received was contrary to Section 3 (2) (i) and (h) of the Equal Status Act 2000 and in not being provided with a service which is generally available to the public he was subjected to treatment contrary to Section 5 (1) of the Act.

Bridget and Hugh Nevin each referred a claim to the Director of Equality Investigations under the Equal Status Act 2000. In accordance with her powers under section 75 of the Employment Equality Act, the Director then delegated the cases to me, Bernadette Treanor, an Equality Officer, for investigation, hearing and decision and for the exercise of other relevant functions of the Director under Part III of the Equal Status Act.