Courts / Mayo / Report

Ammi Burke has 'victim mentality', senior lawyer tells WRC hearing

Summary

A Workplace Relations Commission hearing into a solicitor's unfair dismissal claim against Arthur Cox has heard competing accounts of an office incident in January 2019. Ammi Burke, from Castlebar, Co Mayo, claims she was unfairly dismissed in November 2019 after three and a half years with the firm. Arthur Cox disputes this, with a senior partner describing Ms Burke as having a "victim mentality" and lacking understanding of office behaviour. The dispute centres on Ms Burke's reaction to a lunch invitation from a senior partner returning from sabbatical. Ms Burke contends she received positive appraisals and was never previously cautioned about her conduct. Arthur Cox states relationships with three senior partners became untenable, leading to termination with three months' pay and a €70,000 ex-gratia payment, which the firm says Ms Burke accepted. Ms Burke argues reputational damage was significant and seeks reinstatement. The hearing before Kevin Baneham continues.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Ammi Burke has 'victim mentality', senior lawyer tells WRC hearing. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision

When:

• 12 November 2019 Other
• January 2019 Other
• July 2019 Other
• November 2019 Other
• 2022-03-31 Publication

Why: "The firm lost trust and confidence in the complainant as an employee and solicitor because of the nature and content of those communications," he said. CNI source report

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Hearing Or Decision

Related court reports

• Defilement conviction quashed as court finds judge 'crossed a line'
• Man admits Mayo claw hammer attack
• West of Ireland couple sentenced after children found living in squalor
• 'I hold no ill will': Daughter of Mayo woman killed by truck addresses driver
• Mayo jury returns insanity verdict in telecoms damage case
• Co Mayo man on trial charged with spate of telecom vandalism offences

Read the original CNI report