Courts / Galway / Report
Council ordered to pay €25k over 'one of the worst' cases of bullying seen
Summary
Thomas Greaney, a Galway City Council road sweeper driver, won €25,000 in compensation for disability discrimination after the council failed to make adequate workplace adjustments following his stress and anxiety caused by bullying. The bullying began when a supervisor transferred Greaney to the city's north‑west side in January 2021 and subsequently lodged a series of complaints accusing him of not performing tasks. Greaney reported the harassment and filed a formal grievance on 22 March 2021. An internal investigation in June 2021 upheld two of nine complaints, but the council delayed an independent investigation until April 2022, after the supervisor had returned to work. Greaney's case highlighted ongoing stress, GP visits, and prescribed anxiety medication. The Workplace Relations Commission adjudicator, Jim Dolan, found the council's handling "far too long" and ordered the €25,000 compensation for breach of the Employment Equality Act 1998.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Council ordered to pay €25k over 'one of the worst' cases of bullying seen. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision
When:
- January 2021 Other
- 22 March 2021 Other
- June 2021 Other
- July 2021 Other
- April 2022 Other
- November 2023 Other
- May 2024 Hearing Or Sentence
- Christmas Other
- 2025-02-07 Publication
Why: Thomas Greaney, a road sweeper driver, was awarded the sum for disability discrimination in breach of the Employment Equality Act 1998 because the council made "no adequate effort" to make workplace adjustments after Mr Greaney had to take sick leave for the stress and anxiety caused by the situation. CNI source report
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