Record €189k award against Iarnród Éireann

A WOMAN who claimed she was given a “dummy job” and a damp basement to work in after returning from a career break at Iarnród Éireann has been awarded €189,000, the biggest award ever made by the Equality Tribunal.

Monica Murphy, who took her case to the tribunal, said a less qualified younger man was being groomed to take over the promotion she would have expected to obtain.

Ms Murphy began her career with CIÉ in 1971 and was one of three staff – and the only female – to be awarded a scholarship to University College Dublin. She attained first place in international marketing in her commerce degree in 1984. CIÉ sponsored her to do an MBs in International Marketing the following year and she obtained first class honours. She joined CIÉ’s marketing department and was involved with the task force that implemented the establishment of Iarnród Éireann.