WRC hears Megan Kenna’s discrimination complaint against landlord

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

The Workplace Relations Commission heard Megan Kenna’s complaint that her landlord, Brendan O’Brien, discriminated against her on grounds of family status and gender. Her counsel also alleged unlawful harassment. O’Brien’s solicitor rejected the claims.

Kenna said O’Brien told her and her husband on 9 April 2022 that they could not stay in their rented apartment in Howth because she was pregnant. She said they decided to move shortly afterwards and that she feared losing her pregnancy because of the stress. The WRC heard that her obstetrician decided she was not suitable for a vaginal delivery due to her stress levels.

O’Brien’s solicitor, Colm Hickey, said his client was concerned about the safety of a spiral staircase leading to the apartment and had offered the couple alternative accommodation. Kenna agreed that one nearby apartment was offered at the same rent, but said it was filthy. She said her current apartment also had a spiral staircase that was safe; Hickey said the staircase at O’Brien’s apartment was external.

O’Brien said he had not discriminated against Kenna, had never issued her with an eviction notice and was trying to help. The proceedings were reported on 4 July 2023. The report said a ruling would be published in due course.

This case may have concluded differently. The outcome has not yet been confirmed by a public source we could find.