Courts / Dublin / Report
Veteran Aer Lingus pilot challenges demotion after alleged error
Summary
A long‑serving Aer Lingus pilot, Declan McCabe, was demoted from captain to first officer after the airline said he tried to cover up an alleged error during a training flight on 8 June 2023. McCabe claims the demotion was whistleblower penalisation and is challenging the sanction under the Protected Disclosures Act 2014, the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 and the Payment of Wages Act 1997. He alleges that the airline's operating procedures did not require a mandatory safety report to Air Nav Ireland for the incident, which involved a non‑intercept between aircraft and ground navigation systems. McCabe's lawyers argue that any disclosure he made was protected, while Aer Lingus contends the matter is still under investigation. The Workplace Relations Commission will hold hearings in autumn, with a preliminary hearing convened today and a possible resumption in September or October. The case remains at the disciplinary stage, with no final outcome yet.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Veteran Aer Lingus pilot challenges demotion after alleged error. Procedural stage: charge_or_pretrial
When:
- 8 June 2023 Incident
- July 2023 Incident
- 2025-05-15 Publication
Case subjects
Applicant
Outcome: He said he would seek dates for a resumed hearing in September or October and adjourned the matter.
Applicant
Outcome: He said he would seek dates for a resumed hearing in September or October and adjourned the matter.
Applicant
Outcome: He said he would seek dates for a resumed hearing in September or October and adjourned the matter.
Applicant
Outcome: He said he would seek dates for a resumed hearing in September or October and adjourned the matter.
Applicant
Outcome: He said he would seek dates for a resumed hearing in September or October and adjourned the matter.
Places mentioned
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