In 1999, Equality Officer Gerardine Coyle found that Bank of Ireland had not discriminated against Michael O’Brien over a marriage gratuity. Her recommendation, dated 10 August 1999, said he was not entitled to the payment under the Anti-Discrimination (Pay) Act, 1974.
O’Brien argued that he should receive the gratuity available to some women recruited before 1974 who married while employed by the bank. Bank of Ireland argued that the officer lacked jurisdiction because O’Brien had not formally requested the gratuity and the bank had not formally refused it.
Coyle proceeded with the investigation, noting that the bank had known about the claim since 1996 and had not rejected it then. She followed a High Court ruling in a similar case, finding that O’Brien’s case could not be distinguished on its facts.