Courts / Ireland / Report

Cleaner who got the kick over 'hazardous' bucket wins €5k for unfair dismissal

Summary

The Workplace Relations Commission ruled that Our Lady of Hope School must pay Christina Doyle €5,000 for unfair dismissal. Doyle, a cleaner employed from 9 November 2021 to 13 November 2023, earned €12 an hour for ten hours a week. She was dismissed after the principal accused her of leaving a bucket of diluted bleach in a corridor. Doyle denied responsibility, claimed the principal shouted and behaved abusively, and said she left due to panic and fear of a death threat. The school argued she resigned, citing her refusal to return keys and her statement "I am out of here, I am done." The tribunal found no sworn evidence from the school, deemed the death‑threat claim implausible, and concluded Doyle was unfairly dismissed with no fair procedures. The award covered over ten months' wages, just short of 42 weeks' pay.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Cleaner who got the kick over 'hazardous' bucket wins €5k for unfair dismissal. Procedural stage: charge_or_pretrial

When:

• 9 November 2021 Hearing Or Sentence
• 13 November Other
• 2025-02-27 Publication

Why: She explained that she had a "serious panic attack" as a result of the alleged behaviour and told the principal she had to leave immediately out of "fear and anxiety", returning her keys at that point. CNI source report

Case subjects

Topics

Stage Charge Or Pretrial

Read the original CNI report