Courts / Ireland / Report
'Ousted' telecoms director awarded €25k for unfair dismissal
2023-01-18
Hearing Or Decision
Summary
Barbara Coyle, a former director of The Blackdog Communications Ltd, was awarded €25,000 by the Workplace Relations Commission for unfair dismissal. Coyle had been removed as director in October 2019 after a buy‑out dispute with Peter Wilson, who remained director and shareholder. Wilson alleged that Coyle had misappropriated company funds, an allegation that was never substantiated and was described by the tribunal as "outrageous." Coyle claimed the dismissal was pre‑meditated and that she was placed on layoff to force her resignation and diminish her shareholding. The tribunal found that Coyle was unfairly dismissed as an employee after being laid off, despite the company claiming a genuine redundancy. The decision awarded her €25,000 in redress for losses from the unfair dismissal. The case also references a prior 2021 award of €3,000 that was later overturned.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: 'Ousted' telecoms director awarded €25k for unfair dismissal. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision
When:
- October 2019 Other
- 11 October 2019 Other
- May 2020 Other
- 2023-01-18 Publication
Case subjects
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