Gerard Wheatley

WRC Refuses Anonymity Request and Rejects Discrimination Claim by Ukrainian Worker A Workplace Relations Commission adjudicator has rejected a discrimination complaint brought by a Ukrainian nail technician against her former employer, Sugardolls Cork Ltd, after she failed to attend two scheduled hearings and did not provide evidence to support her claim. Yelyzaveta Zanko had been employed from October 2024 until April 2025. During her employment, she was occasionally required to work at the respondent’s salon located in a shopping centre in Wilton, Cork. She alleged that this assignment caused her stress and trauma and that the requirement to work at that location amounted to discrimination on the grounds of race. The complaint was referred under section 77 of the Employment Equality Act 1998. A remote hearing was initially scheduled for September 2025. Although the complainant had indicated shortly beforehand that she would attend, she did not join the hearing. Following the hearing, she contacted the WRC explaining that power outages caused by the war in Ukraine had prevented her attendance. In response, the adjudication officer sought to accommodate the complainant by proposing that the matter could be decided on written submissions alone. No confirmation or refusal of this proposal was received. In the interest of fair procedures, a second hearing was arranged for March 2026 with proper notice given. Despite these arrangements, the complainant again failed to attend the reconvened hearing. The WRC attempted to contact her at the time, but no response was received. Three days later, she confirmed she had received notice of the hearing but stated that power limitations had again prevented her participation. She requested that a decision be made in her absence. The respondent, represented by Des J. Kavanagh HR Consultancy Limited, attended both hearings and strongly denied any allegation of discrimination. Witnesses were also present to give evidence on behalf of the employer. In his findings, Adjudication Officer Peter O'Brien noted that the complainant did not attend either hearing and therefore did not provide evidence under oath or affirmation. In contrast, the respondent had engaged fully with the process and presented evidence denying the claims. Given these circumstances, the adjudicator found that the complainant had failed to establish a prima facie case of discrimination. Without such a foundation, the burden of proof did not shift to the employer. The complaint was therefore dismissed. The adjudicator also considered a request from the complainant to anonymise the decision due to her personal circumstances. This request was refused on the basis that no oral submissions were made to support it and that no sensitive personal information had been disclosed in the decision. The final decision concluded that no discrimination had occurred. Yelyzaveta Zanko v Sugardolls Cork Ltd, ADJ-00057986

Today, I announced €40 million to support humanitarian aid and peacebuilding efforts in Ukraine. This includes critical medical support like ambulances and neonatal care for the most vulnerable.

"I will be contesting this election on a number of key issues, particularly housing, infrastructure and healthcare." Councillor Cillian Keane. Selected to contest the upcoming Bye-election for Fianna Fáil.