A Monaghan resident has won a "discrimination" appeal over how he was treated by the Irish Defence Forces. Up until recently, John Hamill worked as an officer with Atheist Ireland.
However last week, the Work Relations Commission (WRC) ruled that he was "discriminated against" after he applied to be a chaplain with the defence forces. According to Mr Hamill, he always had a "longstanding interest" in chaplaincy, however he became aware of a regulation within the defence forces that requires all chaplains to be appointed by bishops.
Speaking to Northern Sound, Mr Hamill described the current regulations as "disrespectful" to non-Christian members who serve in the defence force. As a result, he has called on the legislation to be "over-turned."
While the The WRC has ordered the department of defence to “review” its chaplaincy appointment process, Mr Hamill has also written to the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence to issue an apology and for cabinet to begin the process of changing the regulations.
