The Workplace Relations Commission found it had no jurisdiction to hear Kelvin O’Connor’s complaint against Dublin City Council over its refusal to fund and install an Atheist Ireland banner at its Wood Quay offices. The complaint was brought outside the four-month time limit; the merits were not decided. The decision was dated 17 December 2019.
O’Connor alleged discrimination on the religion ground because the Council displayed a Dublin City Interfaith Forum banner while refusing his request for a similar banner promoting Atheist Ireland. The Council said its banner was a one-off gesture to promote collaboration among faith groups and denied treating non-secular groups less favourably.
The adjudication officer found the Council’s refusal was clear in a letter dated 10 August 2017 and later correspondence did not change its position. O’Connor could have submitted the required notification then, and the reasons given for waiting until March 2018 did not explain the delay.