Drunk driver sacked from Iarnród Éireann job claims he was unfairly dismissed

A 32-year-old electrician from Geevagh, County Sligo, has claimed unfair dismissal from Iarnród Éireann after his contract was terminated while he was serving a prison sentence. Muiris Flynn was convicted in October 2019 of dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm, drink-driving, and driving without insurance following a collision near Boyle, County Roscommon, in September 2017. He received a 30-month sentence, with the final year suspended, and served ten months in custody. Flynn returned to work at Claremorris Station shortly after the incident but was dismissed in March 2020 on grounds of contract frustration while imprisoned. At a hearing before the Workplace Relations Commission, Flynn's legal representatives argued the company provided no sworn evidence to support its position, whilst Iarnród Éireann contended the employee could not fulfil contractual obligations during incarceration. Adjudicating officer Brian Dolan reserved his decision pending further consideration of relevant case law.