Hotel Ordered to Pay €5,000 in Discrimination Case Involving Traveller Community Member
Donegal: The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) has directed a Donegal hotel to pay €5,000 in damages after refusing pre-booked accommodation to a member of the Traveller community. The Mulroy Woods Hotel in Milford, found in violation of the Equal Status Act 2000, was penalised by the WRC for discriminatory practices.
Martin McDonagh, who booked rooms for himself and his family through Booking.com two days prior to their intended stay, was initially told his reservation was not received. When attempting to confirm his booking under his own name, McDonagh received no confirmation. Suspecting discrimination, he rebooked a room under the surname “Fitzgerald.” Ten minutes later, when he called the hotel to confirm, the booking went through without issue, and no overbooking was reported.
Upon arriving at the hotel on August 20, 2023, however, McDonagh discovered that the room he reserved was unavailable. Despite inquiries at the reception desk, no clear response was given. Representing McDonagh, lawyer Niamh Quinn argued that the hotel had unlawfully discriminated against her client due to his Traveller community background.
With no representatives from Mulroy Woods Hotel present at the WRC hearing, Adjudication Officer Mary Flynn ruled in favour of McDonagh, citing discrimination as the basis for the refusal. The hotel was subsequently ordered to pay €5,000 in damages.
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