Courts / Dublin / Report

Dog pound in 'orchestrated campaign' against warden who reported alleged abuse

Date
2022-10-05

Stage
Hearing Or Decision

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

The Workplace Relations Commission has ordered Ashton Dog Pound, trading as David Stone and Carol Stone, to pay €18,000 in compensation to applicant Conor Williamson. The adjudicating officer upheld Williamson's statutory complaint under the Protected Disclosures Act, finding that he was penalised for reporting alleged animal abuse to his employer and the gardaí. The decision characterised subsequent disciplinary actions against Williamson as an "orchestrated campaign" to intimidate him, noting that statements made by staff were "contrived" and "rehearsed." The tribunal found that Williamson's suspension constituted penalisation and that the investigation into him was flawed. While the adjudicating officer made no finding of fact on the underlying allegations of animal abuse raised by Williamson, she ruled that his complaint regarding retaliation was well-founded. Respondents argued that Williamson had been fairly disciplined for misconduct and social media breaches, but the tribunal rejected these submissions. The matter was concluded with the order for compensation, reflecting the finding that Williamson was treated to his detriment for making protected disclosures.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Dog pound in 'orchestrated campaign' against warden who reported alleged abuse. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision

When:

July 2020 Hearing Or Sentence
December 2020 Other
2022-10-05 Publication

Why: His barrister, Béibhinn Murphy BL, who appeared instructed by O'Hanrahan Lally D'Alton Solicitors, argued that her client had been subjected to "unwarranted disciplinary procedures by his employer" because he had reported concerns to his bosses and the gardaí. CNI source report