Courts / Wicklow / Report

FG councillor claims he was 'railroaded' out of job of 19 years

Summary

Edward Timmins, a Fine Gael councillor and former finance director of AB Group Packaging Ireland Ltd, claims he was unfairly made redundant in 2020 after 19 years with the company. He alleges the redundancy was a sham driven by interpersonal difficulties with owner Dermot Brady, rather than genuine financial restructuring. The company contends the role was eliminated to make the business more agile following a failed U.S. expansion and a shift to a new software system. Timmins says he was told his position was at risk due to the company's withdrawal from the U.S. market and cost‑cutting needs, and that he was offered statutory redundancy pay and a six‑month notice period. He disputes the process as "baseless" and "railroaded," while the company's HR consultant, Mark Slattery, maintains the redundancy was part of a legitimate restructuring plan. The Workplace Relations Commission has adjourned the case for further cross‑examination.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: FG councillor claims he was 'railroaded' out of job of 19 years. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision

When:

• January 2020 Other
• February 2020 Other
• 24 February 2020 Other
• 23 July Other
• 2022-05-06 Publication

Why: The company denies the claim and says Mr Timmins's role was made redundant because the business was being made more "agile". CNI source report

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Hearing Or Decision

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Read the original CNI report