Equality Officer Hugh Lonsdale found that Frances Shanahan had not established age or gender discrimination in promotion or working conditions, or victimisation, in her case against RTE. The decision was dated 9 April 2014. Shanahan’s equal-pay claim was withdrawn at the hearing.
Shanahan said RTE had sidelined her in programme roles and passed her over for presenting opportunities, favouring a younger male colleague. RTE said she was an experienced and respected repoRter and presenter, but was not considered suitable to present a live, hour-long programme. The only incident within the time limit was the appointment of a younger woman as stand-in presenter in January 2011.
The officer found no link between that appointment and age or gender, and no fresh act connecting it to earlier events. Shanahan’s victimisation claim also failed: she provided no evidence that adverse treatment followed a discrimination complaint. The officer found that the complaint failed on the discrimination and victimisation claims.