Could this mean that “No Irish Need Apply” ads and signs are not completely a thing of the past?
An Irish woman living in Australia was recently shocked to discover that she had been rejected as a tenant by an Australian landlord because he refuses to accept any tenants from Ireland.
Megan Ní Cheallaigh, originally from Dublin, has been living in Australia for several years and after spending a few months traveling along the West Coast, she began the hunt for more permanent accommodation in Melbourne.
Much to her dismay, however, she discovered herself knocked back in time to the “No Irish Need Apply” era with a refusal note from a landlord that explained she had been rejected simply because of her nationality.
Sharing the note on social media, Ní Cheallaigh wrote, "Back to reality and trying to find somewhere to live might be a bit harder than I thought," as she vented about the difficulties in finding a place to live before she went back to work.
Read more: Australia shuts its doors to Irish immigrants, ends visa program
Refused as a tenant by an Australian landlord because he refuses to accept any tenants from Ireland.
"Hi Megan, thanks for your enquiry,” the landlord’s message read.
"We have had Irish tenants at this property in the past, but alas they always turned they house into their local bar / rowdy social hub.
"I'm sure you're not like this, but after being bitten several times I have made it a policy not to let to anyone from your country".
This is not the first time that people have felt discrimination against the Irish has raised its head in Australia. In 2014, The West Australian newspaper caused a stir by depicting Irish nurses dancing alongside a leprechaun.
Earlier this year, Minister for Consumer Affairs for the state of Victoria Marlene Kairouz was also forced to apologize after telling homeowners that if they open their door to somebody with the Irish accent, they should “automatically ask them to leave”. The comment was made after a spate of reports about dodgy tradesmen turning up unannounced at homes in Melbourne.
Ní Cheallaigh has since postponed her stay in Melbourne and traveled on to Sydney with the hope that there is greater love for the Irish there.
Should a landlord be able to discriminate against tenants because of their nationality? Does he have a right to protect his property? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section, below.
H/T: Irish Mirror
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