Courts / Dublin / Report
Kate O'Connell to testify in case of employee who says bullying forced him to quit
Summary
Former Fine Gael TD Kate O'Connell is set to give evidence at an employment tribunal after senior pharmacist Marwan Al Rahbi lodged a complaint under the Unfair Dismissals Act 1977. Al Rahbi, who earned €112,000 a year as a senior support pharmacist at Rathgar Pharmacy Ltd, says he was constructively dismissed after two years because of O'Connell's alleged bullying. His lawyer, Cillian McGovern, claims O'Connell behaved rudely, removed a chair, hid a heater, and told Al Rahbi to perform arbitrary tasks, calling him "your boss." Al Rahbi also alleges O'Connell demanded he sign documents under pressure and refused his request for time off during the Islamic holiday of Eid Al‑Adha. O'Connell's barrister, Derek Dunne, disputes the allegations, stating Al Rahbi was aggressive after being reprimanded for using his phone and that the employer's actions were not bullying. The tribunal has adjourned the case to a later date.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Kate O'Connell to testify in case of employee who says bullying forced him to quit. Procedural stage: charge_or_pretrial
When:
- June 2024 Other
- May 2024 Other
- 7 May 2024 Incident
- 22 May Other
- 19 June Other
- 2025-01-28 Publication
Case subjects
Applicant
Outcome: Adjudicator Andrew Heavey has adjourned the matter to a future date, to be set in due course by the tribunal.
Places mentioned
Topics
Related court reports
- Man charged with having 56k child abuse images and videos remanded on bail
- Ex-Dáil hopeful's allegations against former employer 'complete fantasy', WRC told
- Mater must pay €10k to worker who said he was wrongly accused of abusing patient
- 'I think we know I won't be getting bail' - Daniel Kinahan charged with directing criminal organisation
- Letting agent who claimed alleged domestic violence victim abandoned tenancy by fleeing to refuge must pay €14.7k
- 77-year-old with 470 convictions told Luas staff to 'f**k off'
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request