A woman who was refused a loan by the Ulster Bank because she was over 65, has been awarded 2,000 euro.

The 70-year-old applied for a loan of 6,000 euro for a car from a branch of the bank in County Kildare in 2005.

However, she was told over the telephone by bank staff that her application had been turned down on age grounds.

The Equality Tribunal found that the bank had discriminated against the woman under the Equal Status Act.

Niall Crowley, chief executive of the Equality Authority, said the case typified ageism and the use of age limits to exclude older people.