Courts / Cork / Report
Garda must pay €65k to highly experienced sergeant left to 'sit and rot' by new superior
Summary
The Workplace Relations Commission ordered An Garda Siochána to pay €65,000 to Sergeant David Haughney, who claimed disability discrimination after a new superintendent, Adrian Gamble, confined him to station duties and barred him from driving, wearing a uniform, and training. Haughney, who had lost 70% of sight in his left eye in 2015, had been a roads policing sergeant, public order trainer and tactical advisor under three superintendents until 2019. After medical leave for a detached retina, Gamble blocked his return to training and driving, citing a medical report. Haughney was transferred to a traffic office where he was denied training and advisory work, leading him to describe the situation as "sit and rot." The tribunal upheld his claim, noting that Gamble had withdrawn reasonable accommodations previously granted, and awarded the compensation. The tribunal found no well‑founded harassment claim from the 2020 meeting.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Garda must pay €65k to highly experienced sergeant left to 'sit and rot' by new superior. Charges or matters: disability discrimination. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- October 2019 Other
- 15 April 2020 Other
- March 2021 Other
- November 2015 Other
- 2015 and 2019 Other
- 2023-11-02 Publication
Why: Retired inspector Eoghan Healy told the tribunal that Sgt Haughney was "visibly upset", adding: "I apologised to him because I was the person who'd asked him to come in early. CNI source report
Case subjects
Applicant
Charges: disability discrimination (Alleged Or Contested)
Places mentioned
- Adrian Gamble of Midleton Garda Station
- Midleton
- traffic office at Midleton Garda Station
Topics
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