Shiels v Southern Health and Social Care Trust [2023]

Background:

The Claimant had been employed as a healthcare assistant by the Respondent for approximately 5 years. The issues in this case were regarding events on 28^th May 2022. The Claimant, who had been at an event in Stormont, liked and shared a video on Facebook. The Claimant’s Facebook account stated that she worked for the Respondent.

The video liked and shared by the Claimant was made by her partner who had taken part in the march organised by the Orange Order. The video included a ‘vile and repulsive song’ relating to the death of Michaela McAreavey. This video was subject to other proceedings in the Industrial Tribunal as seen with McDade v Norman Emerson. As a result of the public