The Labour Court overturned an age discrimination finding against An Garda Siochana, ruling that the force did not discriminate against civilian driver Tom Ronan when he was required to retire at 70. In its determination dated 15 August 2025, the Court set aside the Adjudication Officer’s decision.
Ronan argued that he was treated less favourably than civilian drivers hired between 2004 and 2012, who were not subject to a mandatory retirement age. An Garda Siochana said their terms and conditions differed. The Court found that the 2018 Act raised Ronan’s retirement age from 65 to 70 and did not let the force extend his employment beyond that age. It also found that the later-hired group was not an appropriate comparison and said it was bound by the Supreme Court’s Mallon judgment.