Civil Defence discriminated against men in 70s

A civil defence unit discriminated against two volunteers, aged in their 70s, by making them retire from the service, the Equality Tribunal has determined.

Patrick Dunican was aged 73, and Thomas Spain was aged 71, when the two men received a letter, on the same day, from the Co Offaly civil defence officer advising them of their retirement from the organisation, “pursuant to Circular 7/91” and due to the fact both were over 70 years of age.

Offaly Civil Defence argued that the tribunal did not have the jurisdiction to investigate the case as both men were volunteers; the volunteer role was not grounded in contract law and did not create legal relations; and the complainants were not employees within the meaning of the acts.