Courts / Ireland / Report

Prison officer who went AWOL for months to fight in Ukraine says sacking was 'excessive'

Summary

Brian Meagher, a former prison officer, claims his dismissal was excessive after he went AWOL to fight in Ukraine. He arranged an informal shift‑swap with a colleague, leaving €1,800 to cover five shifts, and hoped to return unnoticed. In September 2022, while severely wounded in Ukraine, he gave a TV interview from his hospital bed, which was discovered by a senior official. The Prison Service referred the case to the Prison Service director‑general and then to the Secretary‑General of the Department of Justice, who dismissed him in February 2023. Meagher argues he was paid for several months despite rumours of his absence and that the swap system, though unsanctioned, was a known practice. He now seeks reinstatement before the Workplace Relations Commission, stating he was proud of his volunteer work but acknowledges it was a bad decision.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Prison officer who went AWOL for months to fight in Ukraine says sacking was 'excessive'. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision

When:

• September 2022 Other
• February 2023 Other
• February 2018 Other
• May 27th Other
• December 2022 Other
• 2003 to 2018 Other
• 2025-01-31 Publication

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Hearing Or Decision

Read the original CNI report