Blind Irish nun wins compensation case

An Irish nun was awarded 6,000 Euros yesterday after a pub refused to allow her to stay with her guide dog. Sister Brid Smith was asked to leave Conway's Pub and Restaurant in Blackrock, Co Dublin by a woman member of staff. Niall Crowley of the Equality Authority said: "She arrived in the pub in the afternoon to have a cup of coffee - she was refused service and told very abruptly to get out by an employee." "The award that the district court made of 6,300 Euros is the maximum award allowed and this is hugely important in sending out a very strong and unequivocal message that discrimination in this area is not only unacceptable but it will also be very costly." Sr Brid told reporters she plans to give her compensation money to charity.