Martin and Kathleen Donovan, who live at Túr Uisce, Doughiska, Galway, have been keeping the horses and using buildings as makeshift stables on the site at Briarhill Junction, Galway City, the court heard.

The WRC ruled that the local authority had breached the Employment Equality Act 1998 by discriminating against a council road sweeper, Thomas Greaney, by failing to provide him with reasonable accommodation for a disability.

The proposed expansion includes the construction of two new theatres

The developer, which is a notice party in the case, and An Bord Pleanála, listed to defend its permission, have not had an opportunity to rebut the claims in court.