Courts / Ireland / Report

'Disrespectful' RNLI must pay ex Irish Army captain over unfair redundancy

Summary

The Workplace Relations Commission ruled that the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) acted unfairly and disrespectfully when it made former Irish Army captain Seán Dillon redundant and appointed a UK manager to the role he had been performing as head of region for Ireland. The adjudicating officer found it "extraordinary" that RNLI considered a head office policy and fundraising officer more suitable for the front‑line operational role. Dillon's claim under the Unfair Dismissals Act was upheld, and the tribunal ordered RNLI to pay him €30,000 in compensation in addition to the redundancy lump sum already received. Dillon had argued that RNLI's failure to address his statutory complaint reflected contempt for Ireland, citing issues such as lack of compliance with maritime regulations, inadequate training, and the absence of new lifeboats in the country.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: 'Disrespectful' RNLI must pay ex Irish Army captain over unfair redundancy. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision

When:

• Christmas Other
• 2023-04-18 Publication

Why: She noted that Mr Dillon and his colleagues had "raised expectations" because of the "rhetoric" of managing director Mark Dowie and had helped him with his push for a "leaner, flatter structure" at the RNLI. CNI source report

Topics

Stage Hearing Or Decision

Read the original CNI report