The Labour Court upheld the decision against John Coyle in his appeal over age discrimination and victimisation complaints against Iarnrod Eireann. The determination was dated 8 February 2021.
Coyle said he believed joining the company pension scheme would not prevent him working until 70, subject to medical fitness. He argued that he was refused access to a voluntary severance scheme because of his age after raising concerns about his retirement age. Iarnrod Eireann said pension scheme members had to retire at 66 and that Coyle applied too late to accept voluntary severance. The Court found no evidence that other employees had been allowed to apply on or after 5 May 2017, when Coyle was told the scheme had closed, so the facts did not support an inference of age discrimination. It also found no evidence that the refusal was retaliation for his concerns. Both complaints failed.