According to a Belfast court on Monday, it has been claimed that activists for women’s rights, including Graham Linehan, the author of Father Ted, were seemingly victims of prejudice at a Belfast tavern due to their gender-critical views. The group’s representative alleged that they were unlawfully denied services during an intense and heated encounter at Robinson’s Bar.
It was also claimed that one of the activists was attacked, resulting in a permanent mark on the face. This unprecedented case type in Northern Ireland has triggered 23 civil actions. The group is now taking legal action against Wine Inns Ltd, the proprietor of Robinson’s, over incidents that took place on 16 April 2023 at the city centre pub.
As the case was observed by the Belfast County Court for the first time, the supposed circumstances were unveiled. Mr Linehan and other activists had participated in a rally titled “Let Women Speak”, led by the provocative activist Kellie-Jay Keen. After the protest, they were reported to have spent around 90 minutes at Robinson’s Bar.
However, as per their advocate, Peter Girvan, the group members were thereafter denied any additional service. Girvan confirmed, “The allegations relate to direct discrimination based on my clients’ political and philosophical beliefs regarding gender.”
Attorneys are currently trying to isolate test cases for a planned trial scheduled for early next year. One projected case could be a claim for £20,000 in personal injury damages lodged by a man. Mr. Girvan stated, “We state that he was attacked (by a staff member) resulting in a permanent facial scar.”
Two more complainants, who claim to have witnessed what happened to him, are seeking compensation of up to £8,000 as claimed secondary victims. Separate cases on behalf of the remaining 20 group members were also brought to the court. Mr Girvan stated that it was a very volatile and heated atmosphere towards the end of the incident. Some of them, according to the court, had entered the bar wearing garments that displayed logos supporting women’s rights.
Mr Girvan contended that their belief was the reason for their denial of service and prejudice against them, regardless of their attire, including T-shirts. The presiding judge, the honourable Orla Murray, concurred to schedule another assessment of the cases in the following month. Outside the courtroom, the advocate representing the plaintiffs clarified that they would be choosing lead cases instead of attempting to pursue all the 23 claims simultaneously, which would be unmanageable. Simon Chambers expressed his clients’ satisfaction with the progress of the case and its orderly conduct, anticipating a final hearing in early 2025.