Courts / Galway / Report

Historian fails in age bias claim over 'very tight' contest for UG lecturing post

Date
2026-05-08

Stage
Hearing Or Decision

Primary locality
Galway

County
Galway

Summary

A historian who lost a 'very tight' competition for a part-time lecturing position at the University of Galway has failed in her age discrimination claim. Dr Jackie Uí Chionna, who was 62 at the time of the interview, was placed last among six shortlisted candidates. She argued that the successful candidate, Dr X, who was in her late 20s or early 30s, could not have outperformed her based on her extensive experience and achievements, including a Bodleian fellowship and three published books. Her trade union, Siptu, contended that Dr X had not yet published her first book and lacked the experience of Dr Uí Chionna. However, the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) found that the interview panel's scoring was very tight, and the successful candidate outscored Dr Uí Chionna in three of the six assessed areas. The adjudication officer, Peter O'Brien, concluded that there was no evidence of age bias, stating that the process was fair and non-discriminatory.