Courts / Ireland / Report
Inland Fisheries worker who quit in wake of FOI request over letting of State property loses claim
2025-04-02
Hearing Or Decision
Summary
A former part-time administrator with Inland Fisheries Ireland has lost a constructive dismissal claim at the Workplace Relations Commission. Joanna Canney, who worked for the agency for fifteen years on a €31,000-annual salary, resigned in August 2022 following a media report and Freedom of Information request concerning a commercial arrangement she and her husband held to manage holiday accommodation at an Inland Fisheries property in County Mayo. Ms Canney alleged she was subjected to a smear campaign and suffered undue pressure regarding the leasing deal. Adjudicator Louise Boyle found that while management conduct lacked professionalism and empathy at times, the agency had legitimate responsibilities to process the FOI request. The adjudicator noted Ms Canney had indicated willingness to move forward after the commercial arrangement ended in October 2021, and that she had not filed a formal grievance before resigning. The complaint was rejected.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Inland Fisheries worker who quit in wake of FOI request over letting of State property loses claim. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision
When:
- August 2022 Other
- December 2020 Other
- September 2021 Other
- February 2022 Hearing Or Sentence
- June 2022 Other
- July 2022 Other
- November 2021 Other
- 2025-04-02 Publication
Why: Ms Canney said she was suffering "extreme exhaustion" because of the "crossover between [her] day job and this private commercial arrangement". CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Applicant
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