A Protestant man has settled his case of religious discrimination against Belfast bar owner John Bittles for £6,500, after he was allegedly told that they “don’t serve Protestants”.
Mr Bittles owns the popular city centre establishment.
The case against him was supported by the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland.
The Commission said the incident took place during a Friday afternoon and left the man feeling “embarrassed and intimidated”.
They said as the man entered the bar, he met the landlord, John Bittles, who he knew and had spoken to before, but who then said to him: “No seat, no drink, new rules in the bar. I look after my locals”.
He said that Mr Bittles then pointed to a group of men on his left and continued: “You have not been in here for about three years and we don’t serve Protestants, only joking, no I’m not.”
Bittles bar in Belfast
The man said that the comments were said “very loudly” and “were greeted by cheering from other customers” within the bar making him feel so uncomfortable that he then immediately left the bar.
He then reported the incident to the PSNI, who recorded it as a hate crime.
“I just wanted to have a drink. I’d been to Bittles Bar many times before over the years. The landlord knows me, and I was shocked by his comments and was really concerned by the reaction of the people in the bar,” the man said.
“I honestly thought the days of this type of behaviour in Northern Ireland were behind us. I felt I had to challenge it, so I reported it to the police and contacted the Equality Commission.”
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Geraldine McGahey, Chief Commissioner, Equality Commission for Northern Ireland said that this incident serves as a reminder to all businesses that they have responsibilities under the anti-discrimination laws.
“People are protected from religious belief and political opinion discrimination in the provision of a wide range of services,” she said.
“It is important that customers do not feel intimidated or degraded because of their religious beliefs.
“Everyone who walks through their doors should be treated with dignity and respect, no matter what their religious background,” she added.
“This is also a reminder for each of us that what someone might see as banter or a harmless joke could have the effect of being offensive or intimidating to someone else.”
Belfast Telegraph has approached Bittles Bar for comment.
In settling the case John Bittles apologised for any upset and distress caused to the man and affirmed commitment to the principles of equality in respect of the provision of services to the public. He has also agreed to liaise with the Equality Commission.
News Catch Up: Tuesday 30th July 2024