Courts / Dublin / Report
Workers for Guinness lorry subcontractor fired after covert surveillance win awards totalling over €114k
Summary
Four years ago, 15 workers for Guinness delivery subcontractor Shannon Warehousing and Transport Ltd (STL Logistics) were dismissed without notice after a covert surveillance operation by Diageo security officers at a Dublin pub. The company alleged the workers had carried out "unscheduled and undocumented" keg deliveries, amounting to 31 kegs on 20 occasions, and accused them of gross misconduct. The workers, represented by barrister David Byrnes, argued that the practice of swapping kegs between pubs was routine customer service, not misconduct, and that no evidence showed any loss to Diageo. In 2023, the Workplace Relations Commission adjudicating officer Andrew Heavey rejected the company's view, finding the dismissals disproportionate and awarding the 11 workers between €2,320 and €21,000 each under the Unfair Dismissals Act 1977. A shop steward also received €5,200 for unfair dismissal and €2,720 in notice pay, bringing total compensation to €114,240. Two other former workers' claims were dismissed.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Workers for Guinness lorry subcontractor fired after covert surveillance win awards totalling over €114k. Procedural stage: charge_or_pretrial
When:
- December 2018 Other
- March 2019 Other
- July 2019 Other
- 2023-05-05 Publication
Why: They ask us to drop them back because it's not a problem for us if we're not busy," he said. CNI source report
Places mentioned
Topics
Related court reports
- Man charged with having 56k child abuse images and videos remanded on bail
- Ex-Dáil hopeful's allegations against former employer 'complete fantasy', WRC told
- Mater must pay €10k to worker who said he was wrongly accused of abusing patient
- 'I think we know I won't be getting bail' - Daniel Kinahan charged with directing criminal organisation
- Letting agent who claimed alleged domestic violence victim abandoned tenancy by fleeing to refuge must pay €14.7k
- 77-year-old with 470 convictions told Luas staff to 'f**k off'
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request