Limerick publican ordered to stand free drink to Traveller 

A PUBLICAN who was found not guilty of discriminating against a female Traveller has been ordered to invite her to his pub and to offer her a free drink “to show she is welcome”.

Nora Harty, 51, who lives at Lisheen Park, Patrickswell initiated proceedings, under the Equal Status Act, against Giselle Taverns Ltd which operates the Dark Horse pub in the village. 

The mother-of-six told Newcastle West Court she was refused a drink when she attended at the pub with her son’s girlfriend on October 12, last.

She said the publican – Fergus Kilcoyne – approached her at the counter and said “sorry, I can’t serve you”.

Mrs Harty told solicitor Darach McCarthy she was “ashamed and embarrassed” and that no reason was offered to her as to why she could not be served.

She said she had not been drinking beforehand and believed the only reason she was refused was because she was a Traveller.

Being cross-examined by solicitor Kate Cussen, the witness said she was aware of a feud between two families in the village but said she was not connected or involved.

While one of families are also Hartys she insisted she was not connected with them. “They are not my family, they are a different family altogether,” she said adding: “The feud is nothing to do with us”.

In his evidence, Fergus Kilcoyne said he refused to serve Mrs Harty as he (incorrectly) believed she had “a few drinks on  board” when she entered the pub.

He confirmed he was aware of the feud between the two families has led to a number of violent incidents in Patrickswell and in the city.

Mr Kilcoyne told Judge Mary Larkin another publican had been threatened not to serve members of the Harty family and that gardai had also advised him not serve members of either family.

The publican, who has more than 20 years experience, insisted he has never discriminated against anyone.

”I have no problem with Travellers,” he said adding that he has regularly served Travellers over the past two decades.

“The problem is the feud at the moment,” he said adding that his customers “are very happy at the moment” as there is little chance of violence erupting inside the pub.

While finding against Mrs Harty, Judge Larkin said she believed Mr Kilcoyne should invite her in and offer a free drink “in furtherance of good community spirit”.

The judge added that it is incumbent on publicans to be as polite and as respectful as they can and, where possible, to provide an explanation as to why somebody has been refused.