Courts / Ireland / Report

RTE lawyers accused of 'sharp practice' in arguing newsroom coordinator's 'bogus employment' claim is out of time

Summary

Lawyers for RTÉ argued that newsroom coordinator Joseph Kelly was out of time to bring statutory complaints under the Organisation of Working Time Act 2005 and the Terms of Employment (Information) Act 1994. The tribunal opened the case today, with Kelly seeking compensation for leave and holiday pay he claims were denied before his employment was regularised in 2018. RTÉ's counsel, Seamus Given, said Kelly had not set out his claims in writing and that the matters concerned a period before 2018, which he argued was outside the tribunal's jurisdiction. Kelly's advocate, Martin McMahon, countered that RTÉ had a public commitment to resolve the situation and that the broadcaster's lawyers were engaging in "sharp practice" by trying to run down the clock. The adjudicator, John Harraghy, asked Kelly to submit detailed written claims by 31 January 2025 and said a further hearing would be scheduled once the submission was received.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: RTE lawyers accused of 'sharp practice' in arguing newsroom coordinator's 'bogus employment' claim is out of time. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision

When:

• 26 November Other
• 31 January 2025 Adjournment
• 2012 and 2018 Other
• 2024-12-12 Publication

Topics

Stage Hearing Or Decision

Read the original CNI report