Drunk driver who left cyclists with life-changing injuries wins unfair dismissal claim

A man imprisoned for dangerous driving that caused serious injury to two cyclists has successfully challenged his dismissal from Irish Rail at the Workplace Relations Commission. Muiris Flynn, aged 32, from Geevagh, Co Sligo, was sentenced to four years imprisonment in October 2019 following a collision near Boyle, Co Roscommon in September 2017. He pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm, drink-driving and driving without insurance. The incident left both cyclists with life-changing injuries. Irish Rail terminated Flynn's employment in March 2020, four months into his sentence, claiming the contract had been frustrated. The tribunal rejected this argument, finding the company had made no attempt to consult with Flynn regarding his absence or circumstances. The adjudicating officer determined Flynn had been unfairly dismissed in breach of the Unfair Dismissals Act 1977 and awarded him €4,000 compensation.