Courts / Dublin / Report

Senior Management team accuse Prison Service of ageist discrimination

Date
2023-05-10

Stage
Charge Or Pretrial

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

The Workplace Relations Commission adjourned a preliminary hearing in a case where three senior directors of the Irish Prison Service accuse the agency of ageist discrimination. Operations director Don Culliton, corporate services head Donna Creaven, and acting HR director Trevor Jordon have lodged complaints under the Employment Equality Act 1998, alleging they are paid less than a fourth director, Fergal Black. The Prison Service and the Chief State Solicitor's Office, acting as applicants, sought an adjournment to prepare for Mr Jordon's testimony and to argue for a joint hearing of all three cases. Adjudicating officer Breiffni O'Neill granted the adjournment, rejecting the complainants' objection that the State had delayed its response. The matter was not concluded; instead, the three cases are expected to be heard in person on a single day later this year at Lansdowne House in Dublin 4. The hearing was closed after the adjournment was granted, with no findings or sentences issued at this pretrial stage.