View Full Version : Nightclub discriminates wheelchair user
I don’t know if any of you guys saw this one or not be a guy in Dublin was refused entry to Madison’s nightclub just because he was a wheelchair user.
However to be fair to Madison’s they instantly issued an apology and also said the bouncer that is to blame for it all wasn’t a regular bouncer of theirs and had only been with them for four weeks, he wasn’t one of their regular men and he was immediately sacked.
The problem is it just goes to show you this thing does happen it today’s society.
A NIGHTCLUB in central Dublin has issued an ‘unreserved’ apology after refusing admission to a wheelchair user on Saturday night.
Madison nightclub on Wicklow Street made the apology after a complaint posted to Facebook by Graham Bolger, who claimed he had been turned away from the nightclub on the grounds that he was in a wheelchair.
“That was just the start of my 45 minute ordeal of extreme discrimination at the hands of their staff,” he said.
Bolger, who said he has been using a wheelchair for eight years, said he had never been refused entry to any venue in the world – “from boats to cliff-top castles, festivals to beach clubs, car rallies to deep sea dives”.
Bolger posted a photograph, showing him outside the nightclub, to his personal Facebook profile – and to the nightclub’s own Facebook page, where it had gathered almost 50,000 ‘Likes’ from other users in 16 hours.
The massive response, and shows of support from other users criticising the alleged behaviour of the staff, prompted the club to issue a Facebook statement of its own about four hours later.
“Madison Nightclub unreservedly apologise for the disgraceful treatment of Graham Bolger last night at the club,” it said, adding that the doorman in question “was with us from an outside agency for the last four weeks” and had been “dismissed with immediate effect”.
Our company policy is that the club is open to all. We have welcomed people of all abilities and will continue to do so.
We are ashamed and embarrassed that this has happened.
It also claimed that it had delayed making a public comment as it had tried to establish direct contact with Bolger first.
“We deeply regret what has happened and will ensure that it never happens again. We hope to speak to Graham directly as soon as possible,” it said.
http://rabble.ie/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Screen-Shot-2013-03-10-at-19.40.39.png
Graham Bolger at Madison Nightclub
Martin Ward
11-03-13, 17:43
I don’t know if any of you guys saw this one or not be a guy in Dublin was refused entry to Madison’s nightclub just because he was a wheelchair user.
However to be fair to Madison’s they instantly issued an apology and also said the bouncer that is to blame for it all wasn’t a regular bouncer of theirs and had only been with them for four weeks, he wasn’t one of their regular men and he was immediately sacked.
The problem is it just goes to show you this thing does happen it today’s society.
A NIGHTCLUB in central Dublin has issued an ‘unreserved’ apology after refusing admission to a wheelchair user on Saturday night.
Madison nightclub on Wicklow Street made the apology after a complaint posted to Facebook by Graham Bolger, who claimed he had been turned away from the nightclub on the grounds that he was in a wheelchair.
“That was just the start of my 45 minute ordeal of extreme discrimination at the hands of their staff,” he said.
Bolger, who said he has been using a wheelchair for eight years, said he had never been refused entry to any venue in the world – “from boats to cliff-top castles, festivals to beach clubs, car rallies to deep sea dives”.
Bolger posted a photograph, showing him outside the nightclub, to his personal Facebook profile – and to the nightclub’s own Facebook page, where it had gathered almost 50,000 ‘Likes’ from other users in 16 hours.
The massive response, and shows of support from other users criticising the alleged behaviour of the staff, prompted the club to issue a Facebook statement of its own about four hours later.
“Madison Nightclub unreservedly apologise for the disgraceful treatment of Graham Bolger last night at the club,” it said, adding that the doorman in question “was with us from an outside agency for the last four weeks” and had been “dismissed with immediate effect”.
Our company policy is that the club is open to all. We have welcomed people of all abilities and will continue to do so.
We are ashamed and embarrassed that this has happened.
It also claimed that it had delayed making a public comment as it had tried to establish direct contact with Bolger first.
“We deeply regret what has happened and will ensure that it never happens again. We hope to speak to Graham directly as soon as possible,” it said.
http://rabble.ie/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Screen-Shot-2013-03-10-at-19.40.39.png
Graham Bolger at Madison Nightclub
What context was he no allowed in, like he was a health and safety risk if they needed to evacuate?
Catch the girl in the red skirt!
What context was he no allowed in, like he was a health and safety risk if they needed to evacuate?
Catch the girl in the red skirt!
That’s something I like to know myself Martin but I can’t find anywhere what or if there was a reason given to the guy.
I can tell you in my own experience I’ve been refused entry to a cinema (many, many years ago may I add) on the grounds that I was a “fire risk”. No shit I’m not lying. :(
Martin Ward
11-03-13, 17:49
That’s something I like to know myself Martin but I can’t find anywhere what or if there was a reason given to the guy.
I can tell you in my own experience I’ve been refused entry to a cinema (many, many years ago may I add) on the grounds that I was a “fire risk”. No shit I’m not lying. :(
Must be awful. My only issue is that the article is (deliberately) vague enough for people to maybe think he was kept out because he made the place look bad...any story should have context.
That’s something I like to know myself Martin but I can’t find anywhere what or if there was a reason given to the guy.
I can tell you in my own experience I’ve been refused entry to a cinema (many, many years ago may I add) on the grounds that I was a “fire risk”. No shit I’m not lying. :(
Fortunately certain cinemas now have allotted spaces for wheelchair users. I agree, shocking that this gent was refused access into the nightclub because he was in a wheelchair!
Martin Ward
11-03-13, 17:52
If this was a fire safety issue, then the fault is not completely the fault of the dumbass doorman...it is the company who obviously haven't bothered to train an agency guy.
very shy guy
11-03-13, 20:08
What context was he no allowed in, like he was a health and safety risk if they needed to evacuate?
Catch the girl in the red skirt!
Doubt that I would Martin,she looks too fast for me,lol,sad to see this sort of thing still going on,poor bloke must felt terrible,tough enough being in a wheelchair without some moran discriminating against you.
Saw it on Facebook....unbelievable that in 2013 we still see cases like this.as for the bouncer...has nothing to do with the fact that he was new.new or not,it just shows that he has no clue about humanity,equal rights,etc.karma will get him! Another case where it's proven that in today's society people get judged by appearance,health condition.....sad,very sad.
That’s something I like to know myself Martin but I can’t find anywhere what or if there was a reason given to the guy.
I can tell you in my own experience I’ve been refused entry to a cinema (many, many years ago may I add) on the grounds that I was a “fire risk”. No shit I’m not lying. :(
were you carrying cans of petrol while smoking?
health and safety and the fire chiefs have done some terrible damage. A bit of cop on is required. I was refused entry to night clubs for no particular reason, no proper explanation. it is a horrible humiliating experience. Can only be shocking for a wheelchair guy to experience this when he is unlikely to be a security risk.
I was on jury duty for a trial where a bouncer was charged with bouncing someone, looking forward to putting the guy away as my revenge against all his kind, but the prosecution and gaurds fucked up the case and we didn't get the chance
Derrydoggystyle
12-03-13, 19:33
That's disgusting! This is 2013 ffs!
I was refused in a nightclub in Belfast because of my religion.
Full story - mates and I got out of ****** taxi in West Belfast to centre of town. Arrived at front of the nightclub and we're halfway out of the taxi and the Bouncer said "Not tonight lads" I paid the driver and bouncer repeated it again. I asked why we're not allow in tonight? He said we're Cathoic. We were stunned when he said that. I laughed at him and said
1- this nightclub is owned by catholic family.
2- my mate's parent own it so I rang him while I was standing in front of the bouncer. 2 minute later. Manager come out of nowhere and said "You're sacked" to the bouncer who refused us in because of our religion.
After that happen the manager said sorry and got us into nightclub with free entry and 2 round of drinks for free.
People will never move on. I just don't get it.
That's disgusting! This is 2013 ffs!
I was refused in a nightclub in Belfast because of my religion.
Full story - mates and I got out of ****** taxi in West Belfast to centre of town. Arrived at front of the nightclub and we're halfway out of the taxi and the Bouncer said "Not tonight lads" I paid the driver and bouncer repeated it again. I asked why we're not allow in tonight? He said we're Cathoic. We were stunned when he said that. I laughed at him and said
1- this nightclub is owned by catholic family.
2- my mate's parent own it so I rang him while I was standing in front of the bouncer. 2 minute later. Manager come out of nowhere and said "You're sacked" to the bouncer who refused us in because of our religion.
After that happen the manager said sorry and got us into nightclub with free entry and 2 round of drinks for free.
People will never move on. I just don't get it.
and he could tell you were catholic just by looking at you?
Derrydoggystyle
12-03-13, 19:50
and he could tell you were catholic just by looking at you?
Taxi sign on the car. It's a well known taxi company in West..
Curvaceous Kate
12-03-13, 19:56
To be fair it is not the policy of the nightclub. They had an Agency bloke in (bloom'in agencies!!!!) and he decided upon himself that he wasn't going to let him in. He consequently got dismissed and an apology was given from the nightclub.
Taxi sign on the car. It's a well known taxi company in West..
OK, its a different world up there, how did he react when he found out he was working for catholics?
To be fair it is not the policy of the nightclub. They had an Agency bloke in (bloom'in agencies!!!!) and he decided upon himself that he wasn't going to let him in. He consequently got dismissed and an apology was given from the nightclub.
Give some people a tiny bit of power and watch while it goes to their heads.
Derrydoggystyle
12-03-13, 20:35
OK, its a different world up there, how did he react when he found out he was working for catholics?
He didn't react much but reacted big time after being told that he's sacked in front of everyone.
He didn't react much but reacted big time after being told that he's sacked in front of everyone.
fucker, good to see he got his comeuppance
saoirsemac
12-03-13, 21:12
and he could tell you were catholic just by looking at you?
u can tell by the cocks, proddie are bigger, less shame and guilt to shrink it,
regards the story, having wheelchair users as family i have nothing but disgust for the article
wexfordboyo
13-03-13, 22:44
From what I can make out from facebook, the nightclub has steep narrow stairs to get down into the place. The guy wanted to be carried down by his mates. This was close to midnight, going to a club so assume the mates had a few beers on them. The bouncer refused because they could drop him.
Seems fair enough, some buildings can't be made wheelchair accessible
The entrance to the club is down 30 steep steps, there is no wheelchair access, yes in this day and age there should be wheelchair access but how would you propose to climb down 30 steep steps? Would two people have to lift you off the wheelchair and carry you down? Would the guys have to be trained to carry you and what about the health and safety implications of doing this? What if you got your mates to do it, do you think there is even a greater health and safety risk there? It wasn't discrimination.
Curvaceous Kate
14-03-13, 08:32
The entrance to the club is down 30 steep steps, there is no wheelchair access, yes in this day and age there should be wheelchair access but how would you propose to climb down 30 steep steps? Would two people have to lift you off the wheelchair and carry you down? Would the guys have to be trained to carry you and what about the health and safety implications of doing this? What if you got your mates to do it, do you think there is even a greater health and safety risk there? It wasn't discrimination.
This is what I love about the press. Their ability to twist something and make a reasonable situation sound unreasonable. I feel sorry for the agency guy who got sacked now, as he was obviously using his common sense, that allowing a man to be carried down by his mates who had been drinking, was not safe. Also if there were to be a fire, he would have been up shit creak without a paddle, as I bet his mates wouldn't be able to carry him back up with a screaming mob around them.
The moral of this story is... never take the press at face value, but look for the truth.
This is what I love about the press. Their ability to twist something and make a reasonable situation sound unreasonable. I feel sorry for the agency guy who got sacked now, as he was obviously using his common sense, that allowing a man to be carried down by his mates who had been drinking, was not safe. Also if there were to be a fire, he would have been up shit creak without a paddle, as I bet his mates wouldn't be able to carry him back up with a screaming mob around them.
The moral of this story is... never take the press at face value, but look for the truth.
Absolutely.
There is a steep stairs into the club so entry and exit for wheel chair users is unsafe.
If there was a fire how do wheel chair users escape.
Also it's a listed building so the owners can't do anything to change it to accommodate wheel chairs.
Finally, the owners and bouncers are a really nice bunch of people from my experience.
Personally I think this guy is just looking for attention. I heard he's studying acting, I think he should stick to it.
I'm all for protests against discrimination, I don't believe this one is valid
Martin Ward
14-03-13, 10:04
As I said at the start, there seemed to be a very deliberate omission of the bouncers motivations for not letting him in. Seems he was justified and has been hung out to dry.
I love the press
But why then did the owners of the club not point out any of this when they issues the apology? At no point did they try to give a reason as to why the guy was refused entry. Would this not be the very first thing you’d do to try and limit the damage?
And secondly I’ve also read they’ve welcomed the guy back anytime.
Martin Ward
14-03-13, 14:26
But why then did the owners of the club not point out any of this when they issues the apology? At no point did they try to give a reason as to why the guy was refused entry. Would this not be the very first thing you’d do to try and limit the damage?
And secondly I’ve also read they’ve welcomed the guy back anytime.
Standard PR mate. You don't want to be seen as having a ruck with a disabled person...easier to apologise and hope it goes away rather than have a war of words.
I remember about five years ago a load of pictures put in the press of an old woman in a hospital bed, having not been seen by a nurse in two days over the weekend. The Hospital pointed out that she had refused to be seen by someone who wasn't white and there was no white nurse available.
The government and the PC brigade jumped on them, saying they were showing the woman no respect. Hospital just had to apologise and kiss ass.
Apologise and make it go away....sad state of affairs
Curvaceous Kate
14-03-13, 14:31
Plus the gentleman in question was already aware of the reason he couldn't enter, as they had forbidden his friends to carry him down the stairs. Personally in light of a few clubs going up in flames recently (2 that I can think of off the top of my head) I would not feel comfortable with a wheel chair user in a night club with steep stairs as the only entry and exit point.
It's not as simple as it was first made out to be.
All night clubs have to have disabled exit and entrances as part of the licence I'm nearly sure of that but the uk might be different ..!! Correct me if im wrong...
Curvaceous Kate
14-03-13, 16:30
All night clubs have to have disabled exit and entrances as part of the licence I'm nearly sure of that but the uk might be different ..!! Correct me if im wrong...
No that was in the back of my mind too, but I thought that maybe as a listed building they may have got round this clause?
Standard PR mate. You don't want to be seen as having a ruck with a disabled person...easier to apologise and hope it goes away rather than have a war of words.
I remember about five years ago a load of pictures put in the press of an old woman in a hospital bed, having not been seen by a nurse in two days over the weekend. The Hospital pointed out that she had refused to be seen by someone who wasn't white and there was no white nurse available.
The government and the PC brigade jumped on them, saying they were showing the woman no respect. Hospital just had to apologise and kiss ass.
Apologise and make it go away....sad state of affairs
I don’t know Martin I don’t buy this one I’m afraid mate, it would be absolutely reductions for the club owners not to at least say there’s 30 odd steps downstairs and that was the only reason why he couldn’t get in. Excuse the pun but if they had the guy wouldn’t have had a leg to stand on and I’m have been right behind the bouncer for not letting him in as it would have been madness letting a guy in his position down 30 steps in a packed night club in case a fire broke out.
Martin Ward
14-03-13, 17:21
I don’t know Martin I don’t buy this one I’m afraid mate, it would be absolutely reductions for the club owners not to at least say there’s 30 odd steps downstairs and that was the only reason why he couldn’t get in. Excuse the pun but if they had the guy wouldn’t have had a leg to stand on and I’m have been right behind the bouncer for not letting him in as it would have been madness letting a guy in his position down 30 steps in a packed night club in case a fire broke out.
I'm sure more will come out in the wash and won't comment on things I don't know too much about.
But it is easier for the company to let it go and fire some bouncer, than it is to engage in debate.
I would love to know what has really happened
BrazilianGringo
06-02-20, 09:25
I'd go full Charles Bronson on them without hesitation.
Very old thread now closed