Payout for professor in discrimination case
An Argentinian professor was awarded €10,000 compensation after NUI Maynooth racially discriminated against him, it emerged today.
Following years of study and work around the world, Prof Ronaldo Munck applied for a post as Professor of Sociology at the university in 2002.
But even though his experience shone through at the interview stage the job was given to a younger Irish candidate.
Prof Munck’s impressive CV details his graduation from Essex University before joining the University of Ulster at Jordanstown in 1977, where he worked for almost 20 years.
His teaching took him to South Africa in the mid-1990s where he obtained a professorship at a Durban University. From there he moved to Liverpool University, from which he applied for the job in Maynooth.
Prof Munck told the Equality Tribunal he was the most experienced and best-qualified candidate.
According to other academic sociologists, his work was widely published and he had considerable administrative experience.
NUI overlooked him and he took his case on the grounds that he had been discriminated against because of his age and race.
In 2001 Prof Munck, who is described as of Latino origin in the United States, was granted Irish citizenship by marriage. He speaks Spanish as his first language and is fluent in five other languages including English.
He noted a Professor from the ESRI who gave his opinion on the candidates and stated that the successful applicant had the potential to be the “outstanding Irish sociologist of his generation“. Prof Munck complained this was a direct reference to race.
He also complained about unofficial selection process following an interview which allowed NUI staff members to put names forward for the job. He said it was highly irregular, improperly constituted and discriminatory.
Prof Munck told the tribunal no recognition was given to his research into Irish sociological issues or the fact that he had lectured in the University of Ulster.
The tribunal ordered a review of the selection process and Prof Munck has since been appointed as a professor in Dublin City University.
The tribunal noted direct evidence of racial discrimination was often difficult to come across, but the Equality Officer was satisfied Mr Munck successfully raised an inference of discrimination.
The university lecturer was awarded €10,000 for stress, and NUI Maynooth was ordered to revise its appointment procedures.
NUI must ensure all notes made at interview are retained in future and candidates are marked by each individual assessment board member on the basis of objective criteria agreed before the process starts.
The tribunal did not uphold a complaint by Dr Munck on the grounds of age.
