As people on hen parties and stag dos enjoyed the blazing Manchester sun, there was another group out in force in the city centre. They wanted to convey a clear message as they gathered on Saturday (April 25).
The city’s Irish traveller community has been left outraged following an incident at Mulligans, one of Manchester’s most famous Irish pubs. It came after mobile phone footage appeared to show door staff refusing entry to a group of young men because they were from the Irish travelling community.
A spokesperson for the pub previously insisted the boozer welcomed people of all backgrounds, was proud of its own Irish heritage and was ‘reviewing the matter internally’. In response, the traveller community scheduled a peaceful protest.
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About 50 to 60 people congregated in St Peter’s Square, some holding banners and placards. Curious onlookers asked demonstrators or the various police officers stationed to monitor the event what the protest was about.
Among the crowd was TV personality Paddy Doherty. He told the Manchester Evening News: “We’re human beings. We’re as good as anyone. I’m not a rich man and I’m not a poor man, but I’m a human being.
“We’re fighting for our rights. I’m just as good as you, you’re not better than me, not better than you. We’re human beings.”
Tommy Joyce leads the protest(Image: M.E.N.)
At around 2.40pm, the amassed protesters brought the city centre to a standstill. Led by Tommy Joyce, a renowned member of Manchester’s Irish traveller community, they headed to Mulligans to make their feelings known.
Before the march down Peter Street, onto Deansgate and then left onto Bridge Street, Tommy outlined what he hoped to achieve from the afternoon’s demonstration.
Speaking of the members of his community who appeared to be turned away from the pub, he said: “If those kids had to deny what they were, they weren’t going be true to themselves, but they would have been allowed in. They’re proud of what they are, they’re proud of what they’ve come from.
Paddy Doherty speaks to reporters(Image: ME.N.)
“We’re never going to change and that’s why we’re here today to represent and to show the whole world, we ain’t s***, we ain’t we dogs, we ain’t rubbish that you stamp on the floor. We’re human beings like everyone else. Don’t tar us all with the same brush.”
Mulligans door staff were ready for a stand-off. Tommy, assisted by other leading members of the community, vociferously put their case across.
Voices were raised and fingers were pointed, but it never got physical. The pub doorman referred the protesters to the pub’s Instagram story, where they posted same statement shared with the Manchester Evening News earlier this week.
The statement reads: “Mulligans is aware of a video circulating on social media and the planned protest this weekend, and takes the concerns raised very seriously.
Protesters including Tommy Joyce appear to confront a member of staff at the pub(Image: M.E.N.)
“We want to be absolutely clear: Mulligans welcomes customers of all backgrounds. As a pub proud of its own Irish heritage, the suggestion that we would discriminate against any community is something we take particularly seriously.
“We have many valued customers from the Traveller community, and there is no blanket policy to refuse entry on the basis of ethnicity or background.
“We operate a very strict door policy because we want Mulligans to be a safe and welcoming environment for every customer. Like all licensed venues, we do refuse entry where specific individuals have previously caused issues on the premises – this policy applies equally to everyone, regardless of background.
The scene outside Mulligans(Image: M.E.N.)
“We are reviewing the matter internally and have already been in direct contact with members of the community and are committed to continuing that conversation.”
Speaking after the demonstration had come to an end, Tommy said: “We didn’t get the answers that we wanted. All he [the doorman] kept referring to was ‘go to my Instagram, go to my Instagram’. He wouldn’t give an answer.
“I asked him as a man ‘just tell me who authorised the no traveller policy’. All I want to know is – who authorised it… not to allow them into the bar. All we want is the people responsible now to be held for it, because we are not gonna leave it.”
The protest makes it way to Deansgate from St Peter’s Square(Image: M.E.N.)
Another statement was posted on Mulligans’ Instagram account on Saturday prior to the demonstration. It read: “As our regular customers are aware, the safety of our staff and customers always comes first and we take great price in providing a safe and welcoming experience here at Mulligans.
“We are aware of a video circulating online and a planned protest outside the venue tomorrow. Following conversations with Greater Manchester Police, we will be open as normal – as always, with the same commitment to everyone’s safety and enjoyment.
“We want to be absolutely clear: Mulligans welcomes everyone through our doors. As a pub proud of its own Irish heritage, with many valued customers from the Traveller community, the suggestion that we would discriminate against any community is something we take very seriously.
The protest makes its way down Deansgate(Image: M.E.N.)
“There is no blanket policy to refuse entry on the basis of ethnicity or background. Like all licensed venues, we do refuse entry at times, for many, different operational reasons, to individuals and or groups that have previously caused issues on the premises – this applies equally to all and everyone regardless of ethnicity or background.
“We are working with the relevant authorities, and have already reached out to the organisers directly, and remain committed to continuing those conversations.”