A life assurance company is trying to prevent the Equality Authority dealing with a complaint by a policyholder who is claiming discrimination due to her weight.

Eagle Star Life Assurance has asked the High Court to prevent the authority from dealing with the complaint by a woman after she was told her policy was subject to 100% loading due to her alleged obesity.

The hearing follows a complaint against from 49-year-old Bernadette Treanor, from Dowdalls Hill on Newry Road in Dundalk, who is an equality officer by profession.

Ms Treanor claims she was discriminated and victimised by Eagle Star and its chief medical officer, who informed Ms Treanor's GP that the decision to load her income protection cover was taken due to her being 'overweight'.

The case is being heard before Mr Justice John Hedigan.