Lidl ordered to pay €8,000 after mother and son with assistance dog were asked to leave store

The Workplace Relations Commission ordered Lidl Ireland GMBH to pay €8,000 after a mother was twice asked to leave its Nangor Road store because her son was accompanied by an assistance dog. The decision was dated 10 August 2023. The mother said she explained that the dog was an assistance dog and pointed out its identification. Lidl said the manager had not initially seen the dog’s signage, regretted the interaction and disputed whether the security contractor had been properly included in the complaint. The adjudication officer found the dog’s vest, signage and harness identified it as an assistance dog, and that the mother was asked to leave because of the dog. The officer found the treatment was less favourable and that Lidl had not rebutted the case of disability discrimination. The €8,000 compensation was for discrimination and distress suffered by the son.