A local Credit Union has been ordered to pay compensation to a man with a mental disability after it discriminated against him.
The Workplace Relations Commission said he was discriminated against when he was not entered into the Credit Union's car draw.
The WRC ordered Link Credit Union to pay Matthew Reilly €7,500 in compensation.
It found he was discriminated against on the grounds of his disability under the Equal Status Act.
Link Credit Union, which has branches in Bailieborough and Kingscourt, has also been directed to allow Mr Reilly participate in the car draw, subject to his mother's consent.
The Credit Union had said it had legal advice that it would be inappropriate to allow Mr Reilly to participate in the car draw as he would not be able to use it if he won it.
He is unable to give informed consent due to his disability and responsibility is instead delegated to his mother Martina.
She alleged that her son was being discriminated against because of his disability and other credit union members were not required to show they could use the car if they won it.
The WRC Adjudicator said the refusal to enter Mr Reilly was based on his incapacity to drive but this was later expanded to include legal advice. He said while Mr Reilly could not drive the car, he could enjoy being driven in it if he won or it could be sold and the money put towards his care.
The Credit Union claimed the defence to discrimination pointing out that Mr Reilly can't give informed consent but this was rejected by the WRC as its board had approved his mother to act on his behalf.
The WRC hearing was held in May but the decision has only been published in recent days.
