Catholic awarded pounds 30,000 over bias by employer

(First Edition)

A CATHOLIC woman has been awarded record pounds 30,000 damages for unlawful religious discrimination by one of Northern Ireland's Health and Social Services Boards.

The award, against the Northern Health and Social Services Board, arose out of its failure to shortlist Mary Hughes of Portstewart, Co Londonderry, for the senior post of unit director, nursing, in the Causeway area of the board.

Mrs Hughes, now in her early 60s, was supported in her complaint by the Northern Ireland Fair Employment Commission. The board said it had since improved its procedures.