DPP solicitor loses equality claim over alleged discrimination linked to alcoholism

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

Prosecuting solicitor Michael Murphy’s complaints under the Employment Equality Act 1998 were rejected in a Workplace Relations Commission decision published on 18 November 2025. Adjudication officer Catherine Byrne ruled that Murphy was not treated less favourably, writing that his allegations were mainly speculative and based on a lack of trust in his managers and the organisation.

Murphy had claimed that he was denied the chance to prepare a murder case because of discrimination linked to his drinking problem. He also said he was not transferred from the DPP’s District Court section despite seeking a move, and that the section’s work affected his health. The adjudicator said he had not told a manager he needed a transfer because he was finding it hard to manage his conditions.