Adjudicator ruled out calling gardai in Ammi Burke case

A Workplace Relations Commission adjudicating officer has dismissed an unfair dismissal complaint brought by Ammi Burke of Castlebar, Co Mayo, against Arthur Cox LLC. In his written decision, adjudicating officer Kevin Baneham found that sustained and deliberate obstruction by Ms Burke's mother prevented a key defence witness from being sworn in during the hearing. The officer considered calling gardaí to remove the mother from the hearing room but ruled against this course of action, stating it would be inappropriate for the WRC and would undermine public confidence. Mr Baneham concluded that adjourning would likely result in the same disruption and therefore dismissed the complaint, finding the respondent had not been afforded fair procedures.