Irish fire worker's racism claims

Ms Neylan says she was ridiculed while working for the fire service

A woman who claims she was victimised at work because she is Irish told a tribunal her career was "in tatters".

Ann Neylan, 39, claims discrimination and victimisation, contrary to the Race Relations Act, by staff at the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service.

The control room worker, from County Galway, says she was told to go if she did not speak the "Queen's English".

The tribunal in Reading received closing submissions on Tuesday. No judgment is expected until April.

'Frail health'

In March 2003, on or around Comic Relief Day, another employee wrote a list of sins punishable with a fine of £1 on a whiteboard, one of which was "being Irish", the tribunal heard.

Ms Neylan claims she was victimised on 7 and 8 May, 2003 as a result of complaining about the Queen's English remark, including being told she was not "paid to think".

Her lawyer Rebecca Tuck said "her career is now in tatters", her mental health is "frail", she is suffering from depression and has been certified unfit for work for nearly two years.

Nicholas Baldock, for Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service, said in his submissions that, of six acts of discrimination alleged, five claims have not been brought quickly enough.