FOUR TRAVELLER MEN were compensated €6,000 each after being refused service in a bar in Maynooth.

The members of the Traveller community were denied service and told that only regulars were being served on the night in question.

The group had been attending a human rights course when they had decided to go for a drink to a nearby pub.

The individuals involved applied jointly to the District Court for redress under the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2003 with legal representation provided to the group by the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission.

The matter was settled before hearing, with agreement from the licensed premises to pay €6,000 compensation to each of the individuals, plus a further €500 payment to each, to be donated to a charity of their choice.

A further condition of the settlement was that the staff involved attend a course of equality training.

Chief Commissioner of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Emily Logan stated:

The Commission welcomes this legal settlement, and the clear message it sends that discrimination in private services, including licensed premises is not acceptable and can be challenged.

Recent research by the ESRI has shown that Travellers continue to experience very high levels of discrimination and are over 22 times more likely to experience discrimination in Ireland in private services.