Courts / Cork / Report
Trucker alleged to have put employer's future at risk by defecating on key client's premises
Summary
Edward Riordan, a 73‑year‑old truck driver, told the Workplace Relations Commission that he defecated in a Flextronics loading bay during an urgent diarrhoea episode and did not report it because he thought the waste would wash away in a thunderstorm. He claimed the incident was caused by a peptic ulcer and that his former employer, All Star Logistics Ltd, discriminated against him on age and disability grounds by hiring a younger driver, cutting his hours and dismissing him after the incident. The company denied discrimination, arguing that the stool found was solid and inconsistent with diarrhoea, and that Riordan's failure to clean up or report the matter constituted gross misconduct. The tribunal heard that Riordan was identified on CCTV, admitted responsibility, and that the company had suspended him before formally addressing the issue. Adjudicating officer Ewa Sobanska will issue a decision in writing.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Trucker alleged to have put employer's future at risk by defecating on key client's premises. Charges or matters: discrimination on grounds of age and disability. Procedural stage: charge_or_pretrial
When:
- September 2022 Incident
- 2023-06-16 Publication
Why: A truck driver alleged to have put the future of his employer at risk by defecating in a client's loading bay during an "urgent diarrhoea" incident has told the Workplace Relations Commission he decided not to tell anyone about it because he thought it would wash away in a thunderstorm. CNI source report
Case subjects
Applicant
Charges: discrimination on grounds of age and disability (Alleged Or Contested)
Outcome: reserved decision
Places mentioned
Topics
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