Garda challenges ban on employing people with diabetes as firefighters, paramedics

Ciaran O'Brien claimed Dublin City Council has failed and/or refused to identify an appropriate standard, rule, authority or basis for the automatic disqualification

Ciaran O'Brien said he was first advised that Type 1 diabetes was an automatic disqualifying condition. His application proceeded no further and an appeal he lodged against the decision was also rejected. File picture

A garda who wanted a career change and applied to become a firefighter/paramedic has brought a High Court challenge to a ban on giving these jobs to those with diabetes.

Ciaran O'Brien, who describes himself as a very physically active 32-year-old who has never had to take time off work in his seven years as a garda, claims Dublin City Council's blanket ban has been imposed without reasons and is not in compliance with local government guidelines.