Submission lodged with Justice Minister, Equalities Watchdog and Parliamentary Committee
The Plaintiffs in Burkes v NUI Galway have serious concerns regarding the conduct of Circuit Court Judge Petria McDonnell. Today, they lodged a formal submission with the Minister for Justice and Equality, Charlie Flanagan TD, the Chief Commissioner of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, Emily Logan, and the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice and Equality. The full submission can be read and downloaded below (or at this link).
Speaking today on behalf of the Plaintiffs, Isaac Burke said: “We are gravely concerned that our rights to a fair hearing under Irish and European law have been infringed by the conduct of Judge Petria McDonnell. We believe that the Judge may have sought to mislead us regarding the merits of our case. We are concerned that she may have prejudged the matter, and may have shown disregard for the Equal Status Acts. We also believe that Judge Petria McDonnell may have engaged in a form of judicial bullying.”
Judge Petria McDonnell has refused to recuse herself from hearing the Burkes’ case. The Burkes have applied to the High Court to overturn Judge McDonnell’s refusal to recuse herself. Their religious discrimination case against NUI Galway is currently stayed pending the outcome of the High Court application.
Judge_Petria_McDonnell_submission
