Courts / Dublin / Report

Kate O'Connell to testify in case of employee who says bullying forced him to quit

Date
2025-01-28
Stage
Charge Or Pretrial
Primary locality
Dublin
County
Dublin

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:

Case subjects

Al Rahbi

Applicant

Outcome: Adjudicator Andrew Heavey has adjourned the matter to a future date, to be set in due course by the tribunal.

Places mentioned

Secondary Mention

Topics

Stage Charge Or Pretrial

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