Courts / Dublin / Report

Blathnaid Ní Chofaigh agrees to "draw a line in the sand" over harassment allegation

Date
2022-09-08

Stage
Hearing Or Decision

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

At the Workplace Relations Commission in Dublin, broadcaster Blathnaid Ní Chofaigh withdrew her statutory complaints of sexual harassment and victimisation against RTÉ. The matter was before adjudicating officer Breiffni O'Neill, who had previously issued directions prohibiting the media from naming witnesses or individuals identified in an internal investigation report. Ms Ní Chofaigh's barrister, Claire Bruton BL, stated that her client accepted the outcome of RTÉ's internal investigation processes. Counsel confirmed that the parties agreed to "draw a line in the sand" to preserve their ongoing working relationship, and explicitly noted that no compensation was paid to the applicant. RTÉ's counsel, Mairéad McKenna SC, confirmed this position. Although four days of adjudication hearings were originally scheduled to commence, the claim was withdrawn at the hearing. Ms Ní Chofaigh did not attend the session, while RTÉ staff and members of the public were present. The withdrawal concludes the procedural stage of the hearing, with the applicant formally abandoning the allegations of discrimination and victimisation lodged under the Employment Equality Act.