Bláthnaid Ní Chofaigh’s allegations of sexual harassment against RTÉ at the Workplace Commission (WRC) were postponed until September after key defense witnesses were infected with Covid-19.
His broadcaster was set up today to begin her evidence at a hearing at the Lansdowne House in Dublin 4, but only her legal team and RTÉ’s legal team appeared this morning.
Up to 12 other witnesses are set to submit evidence of the case, but the WRC currently states that the press should not name any of them.
Ms Ní Chofaigh claims gender discrimination due to sexual harassment in July 2019 and subsequent damage, all of which have been denied by RTÉ.
At the beginning of this morning’s brief hearing, Mairead McKenna SC, who appeared on the state broadcast directed by Arthur Cox’s Ailbhe Moloney, applied for a postponement.
“Unfortunately, this problem cannot be advanced in situations where many major witnesses are infected with Covid-19 and are therefore not in a position to attend,” she said.
Claire Bruton BL, who appeared in Ms. Nee Chofay directed by Daniel Spring Solicitors’ Irene Fleming, agreed that Ms. McKenna had discussed the issue with her and that the postponement was due to circumstances. I confirmed that there was.
At a hearing on May 4, RTÉ’s lawyers sought the anonymity of the suspects and instructions from the press not to name them during the lawyer’s “slip-up.”
The legal teams of both parties agreed to use the codename to refer to the alleged criminal in the public session, and judge Braefni O’Neill instructed the media not to name them. He said he was.
Today, O’Neill said he would give further instructions to demand that the media not appoint witnesses.
“This includes all Witnesses on both sides,” he said.
He further stated that when it was time to hear evidence of what had happened at the hotel on suspicion of the July 2019 photo shoot, he would exclude the general public from the hearing room.
“There are two famous people. Despite the anonymous orders, I don’t want their names to disappear,” he said.
“They have nothing to do with the incident, but their names shouldn’t come out,” he said.
Ms. Bruton said her clients are likely to need three to four hours, and perhaps more, to give her primary evidence.
This issue was added on September 8th and will run for 4 days, but it could be on the 5th day.