University criticised for discrimination of female staff

One of the country’s top universities has been heavily criticised for discriminating against female staff by denying them promotions and favouring male academics.

The Equality Tribunal said NUI Galway’s interview process for staff seeking promotion was “ramshackle”, its attitude towards female staff’s maternity leave “unjustified”; and its overlooking of weaknesses in male staff’s CVs “worrying”.

Botanist Dr Micheline Sheehy Skeffington, who took the case against her employers for refusing to promote her in 21 years, has won her right to promotion and €70,000 in damages.