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Record €550k award to ex-Twitter exec over Elon 'hardcore' email now up for appeal

Summary

In February 2025, X Corp's Irish subsidiary appealed a €550,000 award ordered by the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) to pay former Twitter executive Gary Rooney. Rooney, dismissed after Elon Musk's takeover, had sued under the Unfair Dismissals Act 1977. The WRC had awarded him the sum, the largest under the Act, after finding his dismissal stemmed from his refusal to click "yes" on Musk's November 2022 email demanding "extremely hardcore" work. Rooney's lawyers, led by Arthur Cush, sought to have Musk testify remotely, but the WRC decided not to summon him. The appeal, set for March 7th before the Labour Court, may allow the court to increase the award. Rooney's case highlights the dispute over Musk's email and the dismissal process.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Record €550k award to ex-Twitter exec over Elon 'hardcore' email now up for appeal. Procedural stage: appeal

When:

• October 2022 Other
• December 18 Other
• January 2023 Hearing Or Sentence
• March 7th Hearing Or Sentence
• November 2022 Hearing Or Sentence
• 7 December 2022 Other
• 2025-02-24 Publication

Why: In a 73-page ruling, Mr MacNamee concluded that Mr Rooney's employment came to an end solely because he did not click "yes" to the email. CNI source report

Case subjects

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Stage Appeal

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Read the original CNI report