The Workplace Relations Commission found that An Garda Síochána discriminated against Tom Ronan on the ground of age by retiring him at 70. In a decision dated 21 October 2024, it ordered his re-engagement as a driver for three years, with that service counted for pension purposes.
Ronan said his modest pension income and personal circumstances meant he needed to keep working. The respondent relied on public service retirement policy and argued that a mandatory retirement age of 70 was justified.
The adjudicator found that retirement was likely to cause Ronan financial hardship and that he had little prospect of finding other work at 70. The rule lacked a short-term extension process to address hardship, so it was not proportionate in his circumstances. Re-engagement gives him time to adjust to a lower income while balancing the employer’s retirement policy.