A former Bord na Mona employee has secured 25,000 euro from the Workplace Relations Commission for being forced to retire at 65.
Anthony Kenny had formally requested to continue working but was refused with no objective justification given by the company.
Mr Kenny, from Foigha, Kenagh, who worked in Mount Dillon says that he had notified Bord na Mona at the earliest opportunity that he wished to work beyond his retirement date, which was due to be on his 65th birthday.
Despite pursuing the matter in accordance with his employers' own procedures, he was refused.
SIPTU says in the WRC hearing, the company tried to assert that due to the physically demanding nature of the role, it would not be suitable for Mr Kenny to work on.
It says this was done in the absence of any risk assessment or medical having been conducted.
Mr Kenny claims he was discriminated against on the basis of age and the employer failed to rebut that position.
Anthony Kenny said his treatment by BNM had caused great upset to himself and his family, especially after 45 years of loyal service.
In its decision, the Workplace Relations Commission found that BNM should pay Mr Kenny €25,000 in compensation for breaches of the Employment Equality Acts.
