WRC finds Cathy Anne Lynch’s equality complaint was outside its jurisdiction

The Workplace Relations Commission found Cathy Anne Lynch’s complaint against St Vincents Healthcare Group St Vincents University Hospital was outside its jurisdiction and not well founded. The decision was dated 15 November 2022; the merits were not decided. Lynch alleged discrimination on the ground of religion in her conditions of employment, harassment and victimisation. She said a colleague criticised her attendance at an anti-lockdown protest and that she later overheard colleagues discouraging another colleague from having lunch with her. The hospital denied breaching the Act and argued that the events were outside the time limit. The officer found the complaint concerned two incidents on 5 October 2020, outside the period the WRC could consider, and Lynch had not explained the delay. The decision also said she had not established a prima facie case on the religion ground.