Courts / Wicklow / Report
FG councillor who accused businessman of 'sham' redundancy loses €312k unfair dismissal claim
Summary
In a February 2023 decision, the Workplace Relations Commission dismissed the unfair dismissal claim of Fine Gael councillor Edward Timmins, who had alleged a sham redundancy at AB Group Packaging Ireland Ltd. Timmins, a former finance director, claimed he was forced out after a dispute with owner Dermot Brady over cash withdrawals. The commission found that Timmins had not raised any interpersonal complaints before the redundancy notice and that the company had a legitimate redundancy plan following a failed U.S. expansion. Timmins' refusal to participate in the employer‑led appeal process was deemed a major mistake, preventing him from presenting his arguments. The tribunal concluded the redundancy was genuine and rejected Timmins' claim, concluding the case after four hearings and a second adjudicating officer was appointed following a conflict‑of‑interest request by Timmins' counsel.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: FG councillor who accused businessman of 'sham' redundancy loses €312k unfair dismissal claim. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- February 2020 Other
- 24 February 2020 Other
- 2023-02-13 Publication
Why: Giving evidence, Mr Timmins said he and other directors put a warning in writing to the firm's owner, Dermot Brady, because they claimed the businessman "effectively took no pay cut" despite agreeing to a 1/5th reduction in his remuneration. CNI source report
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