Furious family told to leave restaurant for 'no reason' win £20,000 claim

15 December 2023 , 21:28

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Patrick Joyce said his family were left embarrassed and upset by the incident (Image: No credit)

An Irish traveller family who were asked to leave a restaurant have been awarded £20,000 after a court ruled they were unlawfully discriminated.

The Joyce family said they were told to leave Cuisine Buffet Ltd on York Street, in Belfast, despite causing no disturbance. They believe they were asked to leave due to previous incidents involving members of the Travelling community. Patrick Joyce said his family were left upset and embarrassed by the incident.

"We were looking forward to our first dinner as a family, after a very difficult time for us following the death of two of my sons, instead we were made to leave the restaurant," he said.

"We tried to reason with the manager, but it was very clear to us that Travellers were not welcome. My late mother Nan fought for years to improve rights for Travellers, but sadly, being treated like second class citizens is not a new experience for us. We just want it to stop."

Cuisine Buffet Ltd didn't defend themselves in court and were told to pay each member of the Joyce family, supported by the Equality Commission, £5,000, BelfastLive reports. After the case, Eoin O'Neill, Head of Legal Services at the Equality Commission, said the ruling was a reminder that it's not okay or legal to discriminate based on someone's race.

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He added: "What happened to the Joyce family was distressing and humiliating and, as importantly, it is against the law. Irish Travellers are protected by the Race Relations (NI) Order 1997. The Court found that the Joyce family were victims of discrimination because of their race. The restaurant's refusal to allow them to remain in the establishment re-enforces racial stereotypes. It is important that this prejudice was challenged through our legal system."

Cuisine Buffet Ltd have been approached for comment.

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Conor Coyle