Equality Tribunal decision
In the recent Equality Tribunal decision of Maughan v. Grattan Lodge Management Company, the Equality Tribunal found that the applicant had been discriminated against and harassed by her management company in violation of the Equal Status Acts. Ms. Maughan, the complainant, was represented by Siobhan Phelan on behalf of the Irish Traveller Movement.
The complainant contrasted her treatment with that of another tenant in an effort to display the discrimination that had taken place against her on the basis of her being a member of the Traveller community. She also claimed that power was cut to her apartment during winter, as part of this less-favourable treatment. The Equality Officer, in considering the claims of discrimination and harassment, held that the actions taken by the management company were motivated by the fact that she was a Traveller. On balance, the Officer preferred the applicant’s evidence, but said that “even if I were to prefer the evidence of the respondent in every respect, the degree of leniency and patience the respondent showed with respect to [the other] tenant contrasts vividly with the treatment of the complainant”
The Officer found in favour of Ms Maughan and awarded her €6250, as well as ordering the respondent to undergo a course of training on the Equal Status Acts, with a particular emphasis on the Traveller ground.
The applicant was represented by Siobhan Phelan BL, who was instructed by the Irish Traveller Movement. Susan Fay, Managing Solicitor at the Irish Traveller Movement Law Centre commented:
"We welcome the decision of the Equality Tribunal. Travellers experience significant and numerous difficulties in securing appropriate accommodation. The significant hardship suffered by our client and her infant child during a particularly cold snap is reflected in the damages awarded by the Tribunal. We welcome the order that the employees / directors undergo Equality Training with a particular emphasis on the Traveller ground, this may serve to ensure that the discrimination and harassment suffered by our client does not happen again."
Click here to read the full Equality Tribunal decision.
UK Traveller rights newsletter
The Spring 2012 issue of a "Travellers Advice Team" newsletter has been published in the UK, partly funded by the Garden Court Chambers Special Fund. The issue includes pieces written by members of Garden Court’s Gypsy and Traveller Rights Team.
Along with numerous other informative articles, the issue contains information on the new National Telephone Advice line for Travellers and Gypsies run by the Travellers Advice Team, recent human rights reports on a right to a site, the Localism Act 2011 and funding for Gypsy and Traveller pitches and for refurbishment.
Click here to read the newsletter.