Council appeals discrimination award to ‘born-again Christian’

Questions have been raised over a €70,000 award to a ‘born-again Christian’ who lost his job after being discriminated against on religious grounds.

Tipperary County Council is appealing the ruling by the Equality Tribunal which found South Tipperary Co Council, now incorporated into a county body, had discriminated on religious grounds against former executive engineer, John McAteer.

It was claimed Mr McAteer was sacked after he continued to preach religious beliefs during work hours, in spite of warnings from management. His solicitor, JJ Fitzgerald, yesterday confirmed the council lodged an appeal to the Labour Court but did not comment further.