An organisation promoting equestrian sport for people with disabilities has been ordered to pay €3,500 for discrimination against a blind rider.
Ms Joan Salmon had appealed to the Circuit Court a decision of the Equality Tribunal rejecting her claim of victimisation against Para Equestrian Ireland, a voluntary organisation that supports people with disabilities competing in dressage events. The claim arose from the organisation's refusal to allow her bring her guide dog with her to an equestrian event in Scotland in June 2001.
At first she was told that the refusal was due to foot-and- mouth restrictions in Scotland. However, she was told by the Department of Agriculture and the Gleneagles Equestrian Centre in Scotland that there was no such problem. Para Equestrian Ireland then told her it would create too much work if she were to bring the guide dog.
Ms Salmon raised the issue with the media, and she was then refused entry to all future events under the control of Para Equestrian Ireland until she gave a written apology for comments made in the media. She did so, but it was not accepted as it was deemed inadequate.
During this time she missed out on the possibility of participation in the World Championships and the Para Olympics.
She sought the assistance of the Equality Authority and brought a case to the Equality Tribunal, claiming victimisation under the Equal Status Act. This guarantees access to goods and services to people with disabilities and requires that "reasonable provision" be made to accommodate them.
The case was heard in September 2003 and judgment was given in January. The judgment was appealed by Ms Salmon to the Circuit Court, where it was heard by Judge Katherine Delahunt. She found that victimisation did occur, and ordered that Ms Salmon be readmitted to membership of Para Equestrian Ireland and allowed full participation in events organised by it. She also ordered that reasonable accommodation be offered to her to allow such participation.
Ms Salmon said: "I am glad that justice can be done so that I can compete internationally in the sport that I love. This is all that I have wanted for a very long time, and I am glad that I can close the chapter on this book and move on."
The chief executive of the Equality Authority, Mr Niall Crowley, said that voluntary organisations providing services to people with disabilities should themselves operate to the highest standards.
"The case raises issues in relation to the relationships between the individual with disabilities and the voluntary organisations that manage the funds and services that they require."
The decision was also welcomed by the National Council for the Blind of Ireland.