Courts / Cork / Report

Psychologist who denied being 'anti-mask extremist' fails in discrimination claim

Summary

Claire Moloney, a psychologist, claimed the Irish Prison Service discriminated against her by refusing a disability waiver for pandemic mask rules. She said she was forced to wear a mask for 7½ hours daily under threat of disciplinary action, leading her to resign in October 2021. Moloney alleged the service presented her as an "anti‑mask extremist" and threatened payroll removal if she did not comply. She cited chronic rhinusitis, anosmia, wheezing, allergies and polyps, and a GP letter describing claustrophobia when wearing a mask. The Prison Service's chief medical officer, Dr Thomas Donnelly, concluded her condition did not preclude mask use. The Workplace Relations Commission found her condition was not a protected disability and rejected her discrimination claim. The tribunal noted no reasonable accommodation was available to allow her to work without a mask. The decision was issued on 13 July 2023.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Psychologist who denied being 'anti-mask extremist' fails in discrimination claim. Charges or matters: discrimination claim. Procedural stage: charge_or_pretrial

When:

• October 2021 Other
• October 2020 Incident
• June 2021 Other
• April 2021 Other
• November 2020 Incident
• 2023-07-13 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Charge Or Pretrial

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Read the original CNI report