Major cases among Graham Linehan’s discrimination claims to be identified in weeks – The Irish News

The main cases between discrimination claims by writer Father Ted Graham Linehan and other women’s rights campaigners against a Belfast pub will be identified within weeks, a court has heard.

The group is suing the owners of Robinson’s Bar over controversial allegations that they were illegally denied service because of critical gender beliefs.

One of the activists is also seeking £20,000 in damages, claiming he was assaulted and permanently scarred.

In the first case of its kind in Northern Ireland, a total of 23 civil actions have been brought in relation to the incident at the city center pub on 16 April 2023.

During a review hearing at Laganside Crown Court in Belfast on Monday, lawyers indicated that a meeting to resolve procedural issues should be held later this week.

A number of test cases are also expected to be identified early next month in an attempt to move towards a full trial.

Plaintiffs allege direct discrimination on the basis of their gender views in the lawsuit filed against Wine Inns Ltd over the encounter at Robinson’s.

Linehan and other activists had just taken part in a Let Women Speak rally led by controversial activist Kellie-Jay Keen.

After the demonstration they were said to have spent up to 90 minutes in the bar.

Because some of them wore clothing with logos in support of women’s rights at the time, they claim they were later denied further service.

One of them claims that a staff member assaulted him, causing a facial scar.

Two associates who say they witnessed what happened to him are also claiming compensation of up to £8,000 as alleged secondary victims.

Separate cases are also being advanced on behalf of the other 20 members of the group.

All of them were allegedly discriminated against and refused service because of their beliefs, a previous court heard.

Wine Inns categorically denies any discrimination or less favorable treatment of the plaintiffs.

The alleged assault of one of the activists is also denied, amid counter-claims that his behavior had created apprehension among staff members.

Another part of the defense includes claims that, even if there was some difference in treatment, it had nothing to do with the group’s political opinion.

The case is expected to go to trial early next year