I do know my rights, barman!
Pub apologises after Travellers socialising with a senior UN equality off icial refused service
A TOP UN anti-discrimination official was among a number of people refused service in a Maynooth pub.
The bar is part of the Louis Fitzgerald group which owns The Stag’s Head, Kehoes and The Temple Bar, all in Dublin, and The Quays in Galway.
The bar in Maynooth has since apologised to the students involved. The chairwoman of the United Nations Committee on the elimination of Racial Discrimination, Anastasia Crickley, was with four young Traveller men who were refused a drink at the Roost Bar on Main Street in Maynooth, Co. Kildare.
Ms Crickley had earlier been addressing the men at a course on human rights at Maynooth University. After a meal on campus, the group watched the film Selma, about Martin Luther King’s campaign for equal voting rights in the US.
They then decided to visit the pub, which is near the university gates. After serving Ms Crickley, the barman at the pub allegedly consulted with his manager as to whether he should serve her companions.
He then informed the men, who are from Dublin, Donegal and Kerry, that he would not serve them. Other customers pub took to Twitter and Facebook to object to the decision.
According to Ms Ronnie Fay, co-director of Pavee Point Travellers group, who was also part of the group, they went to the pub at about 10.10pm on Tuesday. She said: ‘Myself and Anastasia went in first and were served and then the young men followed.
‘When they were refused, we could hardly believe it. This was happening in front of the UN committee head on eliminating racial discrimination, you couldn’t make it up.
‘I asked the barman why he was refusing the men and he said, “Because it’s regulars’ night.” When I said, “I’m not a regular”, he said nothing.’
The group called the gardaí but after waiting for more than 30 minutes, no car had arrived.
Ms Fay said the men will now take a civil action against the publican under equal rights legislation.
She was encouraged by the response of other customers. ‘They were mostly young people and they were very annoyed too,’ she said.
A young Traveller woman, Donna O’Donnell, posted online, claiming: ‘I’m living in Maynooth all my life and they won’t let us step inside it.
‘In this day and age, its ridiculous,’ she added.
The Vintners Federation of Ireland said it did not comment on individual incidents in member pubs but a spokesman added: ‘All legislation must be adhered to.’
The manager posted an apology on social media to the men, stating: ‘Hi Mikey, the matter you have raised is of great concern to me. I am the manager of the Roost but I was not on duty on the night.
‘I have investigated this matter. It is clear to me that an error of judgment was made.
‘We would unreservedly like to apologise for any upset caused to you and your colleagues.
‘We do not discriminate against anybody and as a gesture of goodwill we would like to make a contribution to a charity of your choice.’
The manager told the Irish Mail on Sunday that he had no further comments to make when contacted yesterday.
The Louis Fitzgerald group did not respond to a request for comment.
‘In this day and age it is ridiculous’