67-year-old awarded €25k against ex-employer for age discrimination

A MAN in his late 60s has been awarded €25,000 compensation against his employer for discrimination on age grounds, reflecting a rise in the number of such cases being considered by the Equality Tribunal.

William Gardiner, aged 67, made the complaint against Kevin Munelly Plant Ltd. The tribunal’s equality officer, Elaine Cassidy, found that in absence of an agreed retirement age, Mr Gardiner’s employer breached the Employment Equality Acts by dismissing him on grounds of age.

Ms Cassidy said that in assessing the appropriate award, she had taken into account Mr Gardiner’s service of over 35 years and the low level of his pay.