Protestant Discriminated Against In Government Department

A Catholic was chosen for the post of NI Water on the basis of his religion while Sinn Fein’s Conor Murphy was in charge, an industrial tribunal has found.

The Department for Regional Development has lost a religious discrimination case brought by Alan Lennon, one of four Protestants shortlisted for the role.

Sean Hogan, the only Catholic shortlisted, was appointed because "he was not from a Protestant background and because he was known to the minister and his ministerial colleagues," employment judges said.

The judges found then-Minister Mr Murphy's claims that he did not know the religion of candidates "implausible and lacking credibility".

But Mr Murphy has said he "absolutely refutes" the findings and hopes to appeal.

He said he appointed Mr Hogan "against the criteria" and was "satisfied it was the right judgment".

A 26-page decision issued by the tribunal stated that Mr Hogan was probably not appointed on merit, and criteria for the position may have been altered "to secure [his] appointment".

Mr Lennon said his win indicated how civil service appointments were not always made with a ranked list and said the system could be easily abused.

He said he came up against a "brick wall" when trying to request feedback from his interview.

Evelyn Collins of the Equality Commission, who supported the case, said: "The standards of fairness and non-discrimination that we expect in employment situations should apply equally to all public appointments."

The tribunal did not find that there had been political discrimination against Mr Lennon.

(NE)