A Northern Ireland hotel paid £3,000 compensation to a Catholic woman who was subjected to sectarian abuse by a member of staff, it was revealed today.
Ms Theresa Murray, from Belfast, was spending the weekend at the Radisson Roe Hotel in Limavady, Co Derry in June 2004 when a barman verbally abused her over her religion.
She brought a case under the Fair Employment and Treatment (NI) Order 1998 but the hotel agreed to settle before it went before the tribunal.
Ms Evelyn Collins, Chief Executive of the Equality Commission said: "We are pleased that the Radisson Roe Hotel has recognised the hurt and distress caused to Ms Murray by the sectarian harassment she was subjected to by one of its staff."
She added the hotel has agreed to work with the Commission and is currently reviewing its equality practices and procedures.
"We welcome their commitment to implement all changes recommended and agreed with the Commission as a result of this review within three months."
The Radisson has also agreed to communicate any change of policies to staff and to provide equality training.
The hotel's general manager Mr John O'Carroll said they deeply regretted the incident. "We have taken measures to ensure that such an incident will not occur again. Equality training has become an integral part of in-house personnel procedures," he added.
Mr O'Carroll said the hotel prided itself in appealing to all sections of the community and respected the diverse traditions within Northern Ireland.
PA