An 18-year-old refused entrance to a bar because of his age was today awarded €1,000 by the Equality Tribunal.
The Tribunal upheld Derek Madden's claim that he was discriminated against on age grounds when he was refused access to the Quinlan's public house in Dublin.
He had produced identification showing that at age 18 he was legally entitled to enter the premises. Two of his companions who displayed identity cards indicating they were 19, were allowed enter.
The bar manager had said it was policy to refuse 18-year-olds because of previous bad experience with persons of that age.
The Equality Tribunal found there was a case to be met but the respondent did not attend. The Equality Officer ordered the respondent pay €1,000 compensation to the complainant.
In delivering their verdict on five claims heard in August, the Tribunal upheld on complaint on grounds of race and another on grounds of membership of the Traveller community. Two members also lost claims on the same grounds.