THE EMPLOYMENT Appeals Tribunal has been ordered to pay a deaf man €3,000 for discriminating against him on the basis of his disability.
The Equality Tribunal ruled yesterday that the appeals body had discriminated against Mike Fogarty by not providing him with an interpreter during an appeal against a decision in an unfair dismissals case.
Mr Fogarty said he could not understand the hearing at the appeals tribunal and had been represented by a shop steward, who communicated to him though written notes.
But his inability to understand the hearing meant he was unable to explain why he should be allowed an extension of the normal time limit for his case.
The Employment Appeals Tribunal subsequently decided his case could not be heard because he had missed the deadline.