Courts / Dublin / Report

"I never called her a c*** -- I spelled it": Sacked scrapyard boss says remark to junior worker was "banter"

Date
2024-12-13

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

Bernard McMahon, a former manager at Hammond Lane Metal Co Ltd, claims he never used a derogatory term against a female co‑worker, saying he only spelled the word out. He told the Workplace Relations Commission that the alleged remark was not meant as harassment and that the incident was a joke. McMahon said he had been dismissed after a complaint was made that he had verbally abused the worker and called her a derogatory term. He argued that the disciplinary process was biased and that he was treated unfairly, citing a lack of proper investigation and the presence of a note‑taker. The tribunal heard evidence over several days, including McMahon's claim that the alleged remark was not used in a derogatory way, and that the company followed fair procedure. The adjudicator will issue a written decision later.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: "I never called her a c*** -- I spelled it": Sacked scrapyard boss says remark to junior worker was "banter". Charges or matters: Unfair Dismissals Act 1977 complaint. Procedural stage: trial

When:

19 December 2023 Other
19 December Hearing Or Sentence
2024-12-13 Publication

Why: The man also claimed his "goose was cooked with the company" before any allegation that he verbally abused the worker ever came up, because he had objected to his bosses putting in CCTV cameras that could record audio. CNI source report