Woman refused in pub fails to prove discrimination
AN attempt by a Bunclody woman to buy a drink in an Enniscorthy pub led to a case heard before Judge John Cheatle at Gorey Court.
Alice Connors of 5 Na Coillte in Bunclody claimed that she had been discriminated against as a member of the Travelling community when she was refused in Dawson’s bar.
She took her action against Clokemar Limited and Hugh Martin with registered office at Tomnalossett, Enniscorthy, as the owners of the pub.
Ms Connors, who described herself as a 47 -year-old mother of four, told how she was in town on the afternoon of October 7 last with her husband Larry and a man called Tom O’Leary.
The couple left O’Leary at Dawson’s where he ordered a drink as they carried out an errand elsewhere.
Ms Connors recalled how they returned to the Duffry area and she decided to go into Dawson’s for a few drinks.
However barman Peter Clince declined to serve her and told her she had already had enough to drink.
She told how she then went to the garda station and offered to give a blood sample, as it would show that she had no alcohol in her system.
O’Leary told the court how he did not feel like finishing his pint and he confirmed that Alice Connors was sober.
Larry Connors said he still felt very shaken by what occurred that day and recalled no problem being served food when Peter Clince worked in the Ballycarney Inn.
The other side of the case was put by pub proprietor Hugh Martin, who described the clientele of Dawson’s as a mixture of all sorts.
Evidence was also given by the barman who stated that he had 45 years experience in the trade.
He felt that Ms Connors stumbled as she entered the bar and that she mumbled in her speech, concluding that she had drink taken.
The judge accepted the evidence of Ms Connors that she was sober and that she had been caused embarrassment and distress.
She had his sympathy but he could not conclude that she had been discriminated against as a member of an ethnic minority.
The case was dismissed.