Courts / Limerick / Report
Limerick Leader publisher says veteran photographer was never employee
Summary
In a Workplace Relations Commission hearing, Michael Cowhey, 76, claimed he was unfairly dismissed from the Limerick Leader when the paper laid him off in March 2020. Cowhey says he was hired in 2008 as a freelancer to run the photo department for €40,000 a year, a figure the publisher, Formpress Publishing Ltd, argues was a retainer, not a salary. He asserts that he was given a desk, computer, and a fixed schedule, and that he managed other photographers and freelancers. Cowhey's legal team argues that the nature of his work and the fixed hours made him an employee under the Unfair Dismissals Act 1977. The publisher's solicitor counters that Cowhey declared himself self‑employed in tax returns and worked for other clients, and that the complaint may have missed the six‑month statutory window. The adjudicator, Kara Turner, will issue a decision in due course.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Limerick Leader publisher says veteran photographer was never employee. Charges or matters: Unfair Dismissals Act 1977 complaint. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- March 2020 Other
- 16 March 2020 Hearing Or Sentence
- December 2021 Other
- November 2020 Other
- 2010 and 2021 Other
- 2023-05-11 Publication
Why: Mr Cowhey's barrister said little weight ought to be put on the booklet because it had not previously been included in submissions – with Mr Cowhey himself calling it "rubbish". CNI source report
Case subjects
Applicant
Charges: Unfair Dismissals Act 1977 complaint (Alleged Or Contested)
Outcome: reserved decision
Places mentioned
Topics
Related court reports
- Manager at global IT firm denies company 'lied' about position of former Irish employee
- High Court refuses to surrender Limerick man wanted for alleged human trafficking in Greece
- Tipperary man admits attempted murder
- Volunteer who said he was sacked for warning Church officials of 'rogue' relic traders can't pursue case, WRC rules
- Appearance of tips machine in cafe that pulled in €5k unexplained, tribunal notes
- 'You've to get the morning after pill': man who was 18 when he raped girl (15) gets seven years
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request