Courts / Ireland / Report

Music tech firm founder awarded record €464k by WRC

Summary

In a record‑setting decision, the Workplace Relations Commission ordered Hyph Ireland Ltd to pay its founder, Mick Kiely, €464,000 for unfair dismissal. The award includes €440,000 for loss of earnings over a 17‑month period and €24,000 for notice pay. Kiely, who had earned €340,000 a year as chief executive before being dismissed in 2021, claimed that the dismissal was contrived on the basis of a visa allegation and that he was locked out of company premises. The tribunal found the dismissal unfair, noted Kiely's rapid re‑establishment of a new business within 17 months, and concluded that the non‑compete clause limited his ability to mitigate losses. The decision surpassed the previous record award of €329,000 and is the highest dismissal award ever made by the WRC. The company admitted the contract was governed by Irish law and the dismissal was unfair.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Music tech firm founder awarded record €464k by WRC. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision

When:

• May 2022 Other
• 19 November 2021 Other
• 2024-02-22 Publication

Why: Mr Murray submitted that this was because his client was subject to a "non-compete clause" restricting him from going into business in the respondent's area of business. CNI source report

Topics

Stage Hearing Or Decision

Read the original CNI report