The Labour Court found that Dublin Institute of Technology and the City of Dublin Vocational Education Committee discriminated against Mr. Brian Doolan by refusing him adoptive leave because of his sex. The Court awarded him £6,500 compensation for the discrimination. Its determination was signed on 22 October 1998.
The Labour Court heard Doolan’s appeal from an Equality Officer recommendation that had found no discrimination. At the resumed hearing, the respondents conceded they could no longer contest the complaint. The Court found that Doolan had suffered discrimination when refused adoptive leave in April 1991.
The Court found that Doolan suffered no pecuniary loss but did experience emotional loss and distress. It noted that the respondents had followed a Department of Education directive and found no malice justifying a punitive component.