The Workplace Relations Commission found against Dermot Kelly on his disability-related complaints against Saint John Of God Community Services Company Limited By Guarantee, including claims of harassment, inadequate accommodation and victimisation. No award was recorded. The decision was dated 1 December 2025.
Kelly said a colleague made insulting remarks about his disability in October 2023 and that the employer mishandled his grievance, including through a badly handled meeting and an occupational health referral. The officer did not extend the time limit for the October incident, so its merits were not decided. She found no disability discrimination or harassment within the period she could consider. The accommodation claim also failed because Kelly did not identify a specific adjustment that had been refused. The WRC had amended one complaint after it was mistakenly submitted under the Equal Status Act rather than the Employment Equality Act.
On victimisation, the officer accepted that the February 2024 meeting was badly handled but found it was a misguided attempt at mediation, not retaliation. She also found the occupational health referral was not adverse treatment or a response to Kelly’s complaints.