The Workplace Relations Commission found that Olwyn Branigan Curran had not established gender discrimination by An Garda Síochána, and made no compensation award. Adjudication Officer Catherine Byrne’s decision was dated 9 December 2025.
Curran, a civilian employee, alleged that the force treated her less favourably after a colleague sent her offensive Facebook messages, including by delaying welfare support and giving her less support than the colleague she reported. An Garda Síochána argued that its actions were not discriminatory and that the complaint concerned her treatment as a crime victim rather than her employment.
The WRC found earlier events fell outside the statutory time limit. It said pandemic-era detached working contributed to Curran being isolated and unsupported, but support was provided after she raised the issue. The Officer found no adverse treatment in a letter reminding her to use the PULSE system only for legitimate business, no victimisation and no problem with a 24-hour delay in telling her the DPP had decided to prosecute the colleague. The Officer described the force’s conduct between March and September 2020 as not exemplary, but concluded the evidence did not establish a prima facie case of gender discrimination.