Wife of `Glenroe' actor claims barman in Dublin pub refused her service because she is a Traveller

The wife of Glenroe actor Mic hael Collins claimed yesterday she had been refused service in a Dublin pub because she was a Traveller…

The wife of Glenroe actor Mic hael Collins claimed yesterday she had been refused service in a Dublin pub because she was a Traveller.

Ms Catherine Collins (30) was objecting to the renewal of the licence for the Halfway House, near where she lives on Dublin's Navan Road.

Ms Collins told Dublin District Court she was very embarrassed by the incident last April 29th. She was there for lunch with her nephew who had just made his Confirmation, her brother Barney, two other adults and her two children.

Her brother's drinks order at the bar was refused by barman Mr Michael Mullane, who told them they could have food but no drink. Challenged by Ms Collins she claimed he said: "Ye people were in here three days ago and let your children run around the pub and got very noisy after a few drinks."

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"When he said `ye people' I took it to mean Travellers," she said. The gardai were called by Ms Collins, who got a refund for her food and then left. She wrote to the proprietor, Mr Con Tracey, asking for an apology but received no reply.

After lodging her objection to the licence, a meeting was arranged between Mr Tracey, his lawyer and Ms Collins but she was not satisfied with his response. The court heard one of Ms Collins's children attended the same school as the publican's child and they had been at each other's birthday parties.

Mr Mullane denied refusing Ms Collins drink. He said he had recognised her brother from a previous occasion and refused him service.

Mr Tracey said he regularly served Travellers, especially for Sunday lunch. Judge Patrick Brady said he would give a decision today.