Courts / Cork / Report

Flautist not whistleblower, WRC rules

Date
2025-05-22

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Cork

County
Cork

Summary

Mr Hugh Rance, a long‑serving flute teacher at the Cork Education and Training Board School of Music, claimed he was penalised for raising concerns about alleged waste and misuse of public funds. He alleged that his own teaching hours were 63% vacant, costing the State about €50,000 a year, and that 18 music teachers had excess vacant hours ranging from 35% to 70%. Rance sent emails to a manager and to the chief executive, Denis Leamy, in October 2023, demanding a review of the issues. The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) found that his complaints did not constitute a protected disclosure under the Protected Disclosures Act 2014 and dismissed his claim. Rance said he would appeal to the Labour Court. The WRC's decision was based on the view that the allegations were an interpersonal grievance rather than a protected disclosure.