Courts / Dublin / Report

Bláthnaid Ní Chofaigh to allege she was sexually harassed while working for RTE

Date
2022-05-04
Stage
Appeal
Primary locality
Dublin
County
Dublin

Summary

A preliminary hearing at the Workplace Relations Commission in Dublin addressed a complaint lodged by broadcaster Bláthnaid Ní Chofaigh against RTÉ. Ms. Ní Chofaigh alleges sexual harassment and victimisation under the Employment Equality Act, claiming she was sidelined after raising concerns in July 2019. RTÉ's legal representatives, including Mairéad McKenna BL, denied all allegations and requested a direction to keep the identities of alleged perpetrators anonymous. The adjudicating officer, Breiffni O'Neill, agreed to this anonymity order, warning that any breach would be viewed dimly. Ms. Ní Chofaigh's counsel, Claire Bruton BL, supported the anonymity instruction but insisted the hearing proceed in public. The adjudicator noted that specific allegations regarding comments made after a photoshoot would be heard in private. The parties also discussed potential duplication with parallel High Court proceedings, with Ms. Bruton citing a Court of Appeal decision allowing such claims to progress simultaneously. The matter was adjourned to allow five weeks for written submissions, with the full hearing scheduled to run for three days in late June.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Bláthnaid Ní Chofaigh to allege she was sexually harassed while working for RTE. Procedural stage: appeal

When:

Places mentioned

Facility
  • Lansdowne House
Secondary Mention
Court Venue
  • High Court
  • Court of Appeal

Topics

Stage Appeal

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