A Catholic National School has been been found guilty of discrimination and fined €12,000 by the Equality Tribunal 
for not hiring a Protestant teacher.
However, the school said it didn’t employ her because she didn’t have a Certificate in Religious Education which would have qualified her to teach religion in the primary school.
The case concerned a Church of Ireland teacher who applied for a permanent job at Knocktemple National School, in Virginia, Co Cavan, in May 2007.
Shortly after, she was contacted by the school principal and the chairperson of the school and offered a permanent post.
But the offer was withdrawn after a phone call in which the applicant was questioned about holding the Catholic Religion Certificate.
The Equality Tribunal has dismissed two explanations given by the school as to why this happened. The explanations were based around breaches of formal procedures.
The applicant contended that her religion had become a factor in the appointment procedure.
The Equality Tribunal has agreed with her, finding that not only was Ms McKeever’s religion discussed, but that it also influenced the school’s board of management in withdrawing the offer that had been made.
The primary teachers’ union, the INTO, has welcomed the result.
It is the first time the union has taken a case of this kind on behalf of a member on the grounds of religion.