Courts / Kerry / Report
'Fallout' from Ballyseedy affair hampering job search, WRC hears
Summary
David McCullagh, a former IT manager at Ballyseedy Restaurant Ltd, claims he was dismissed on 13 January after the company's CEO, Nathan McDonnell, was arrested for a multi‑million euro drug seizure. McCullagh says he was paid €50,000 for a three‑day week while studying, and that his hours and pay were cut unilaterally in August 2023 without explanation. He alleges the company failed to update contracts, denied him annual leave, and cut his email access in October 2023. McCullagh filed a grievance and was told he was being made redundant, with a severance package based only on statutory entitlements. He estimates he is owed over €21,000 in unpaid wages and leave, plus a statutory redundancy payment of about €3,000. The Workplace Relations Commission will decide on his claims by the end of the week, while the Revenue Commissioners plan to wind up the company next Monday. Nathan McDonnell pleaded guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: 'Fallout' from Ballyseedy affair hampering job search, WRC hears. Charges or matters: drug importation and facilitating an organised crime gang, and is due to be sentenced in December. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- 13 January Other
- 26 February Incident
- May 2022 Other
- August 2023 Other
- October 2023 Other
- 20 November Other
- Saturday 13 January Other
- Monday, November 4 Other
- 2024-10-30 Publication
Why: He said the impression he had was that one recruiter "didn't want to put me forward" for another post "because I'd been with Ballyseedy". CNI source report
Case subjects
Applicant
Charges: drug importation and facilitating an organised crime gang, and is due to be sentenced in December (Alleged Or Contested)
Convicted Person
Charges: drug importation and facilitating an organised crime gang, and is due to be sentenced in December (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Mr McDonnell pleaded guilty at the Special Criminal Court last month to drug importation and facilitating an organised crime gang, and is due to be sentenced in December.
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