A Traveller couple yesterday failed to establish they had been discriminated against when a pub refused to serve food to them and members of their extended family.
Judge Timothy Lucey dismissed the discrimination claim brought by Michael and Nora Conroy, of Owendore Haven Caravan Site, Rathfarnham, Dublin, against the Scholar's Pub, Firhouse.
They claimed the bar manager, Paul Ganley, had refused to serve them because they were members of the Travelling community. Mr Ganley said he did not even know they were Travellers and the only reason they were not accommodated was because there were more than 19 men, women and children and the pub simply did not have the space that day.
Dublin District Court heard the group went to the pub on March 27th last year following a christening ceremony for a child of the Conroys' nephew, Patrick Maughan. They got seats at different tables with women and children on one side of the pub and around nine men on the other.
Patrick Maughan went up and asked for food but he returned to say they were not going to be served.
Mr Ganley said the group had not been served simply because there was not enough space on a busy day during an international rugby match on TV.
Judge Lucey said the Travellers were honestly aggrieved but had failed to prove their case, particularly as the first person to be refused, Patrick Maughan, was not in court to give evidence. He refused an application from the pub for costs.