WRC dismisses disabled patient’s discrimination complaint over UHL care

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

The Workplace Relations Commission dismissed Michael O’Dowd’s complaint over alleged disability discrimination during his stay at University Hospital Limerick. Adjudication officer Ewa Sobanska said the WRC had no jurisdiction to investigate the alleged discrimination because his complaint, made in April 2024 about events during his 2022 hospital stay, was out of time. The decision also found no breach concerning the handling of his complaint.

Mr O’Dowd alleged that staff joked and laughed at him during personal care and that he was treated differently because of his wheelchair and speech difficulties. The HSE denied discriminating against him, while its solicitor told the hearing the treatment and behaviour complained of were unacceptable. The WRC said his complaint rested on speculation that the alleged adverse treatment arose from his disability.