DEC-S2006-005 Full Case Report

Margaret Sweeney, Ellen Sweeney and Pauline Ward
(Represented by Michael McDarby & Co. Solicitors)

V

The Imperial Hotel, Co. Galway
(Represented by O'Donnell Waters Solicitors)

Margaret Sweeney, Ellen Sweeney and Pauline Ward 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.

Background

These cases were assigned to me on 2nd November 2005. On 23rd November 2005 both parties were sent notice that the cases had been assigned to me and that the hearing would take place on 12th January 2005. On the day of the hearing, the respondent attended with its legal representative. The complainants' legal representative also attended and before the hearing began he indicated that his clients had failed to appear.

Decision

As the complainants failed to appear for the hearing they have failed to support the allegations made in the documents submitted to the Tribunal. On that basis I find that they have failed to establish a prima facie case of discrimination on the Traveller ground and therefore this decision is in favour of the respondent.

Bernadette Treanor
Equality Officer
23rd February 2006