The Labour Court upheld a €70,000 discrimination award to John McAteer after dismissing Tipperary County Council’s appeal. The Court’s determination was signed on 30 January 2015 and affirmed the Equality Tribunal’s finding that the council indirectly discriminated against McAteer on religious grounds.
McAteer, a civil engineer, said sharing his faith was a central obligation of his religion. The council said it dismissed him after he refused instructions on how to conduct himself at work. It had disciplined him over discussing religion at work and with members of the public, including a two-month unpaid suspension in 2009.
The Court found the prohibition disadvantaged people whose religious beliefs enjoined them to evangelise. It also found no evidence that McAteer’s conversations damaged the council’s reputation or impaired his work. Other employees were not monitored or restricted in how they spent their lunch breaks. The council argued that the €70,000 award was excessive, but the Court concluded it could not be regarded as excessive and affirmed the Equality Tribunal’s decision in full.