Courts / Galway / Report
Carer who 'ghosted' dementia patient wins €1.6k in withheld pay
Summary
In a case heard by the Workplace Relations Commission, Catarina Cardoso, a live‑in carer for a Galway resident with advanced dementia, claimed that her employer, Ross Jenkins, unlawfully withheld her final wages. Cardoso had resigned on 23 August 2024, citing anxiety and carer burnout, and had given the family four days' notice. Jenkins argued that Cardoso's abrupt departure left the vulnerable patient alone for nearly 24 hours, jeopardised medication administration, and caused the family to scramble for emergency assistance. The commission found no contractual provision allowing wage deductions and no written notice of any alleged misconduct. Consequently, the adjudicating officer ordered Jenkins to pay Cardoso €1,650.78 within six weeks, ruling the withholding unlawful. The decision focused solely on the wage issue, with no reference to the patient's care or any other matters.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Carer who 'ghosted' dementia patient wins €1.6k in withheld pay. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision
When:
- July 2024 Other
- 23 August 2024 Other
- August 2024 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2025-06-24 Publication
Why: I failed to face you because I knew what I was doing," Ms Cardoso replied. CNI source report
Case subjects
Applicant
Places mentioned
Topics
Related court reports
- Appearance of tips machine in cafe that pulled in €5k unexplained, tribunal notes
- Judge speaks out about toxic masculinity while jailing young man for rape
- 'You ruined my life,' rape victim tells older brother
- Retired Franciscan brother jailed for 11 years for raping boy
- Lab had to decontaminate first aid room after technician found to have been napping, wearing lead-exposed work gear, tribunal told
- Lithuanian man admits engaging in terrorist plot to attack mosque
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request