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Sacked Irish Rail worker who defied orders when crane became unsafe wins €12k for unfair dismissal

Summary

In March 2023, Liam Óg Lynch, an Irish Rail employee, took control of a gantry crane after a contractor's operator was denied permission to operate it. Lynch, who had been instructed not to use the crane, argued the load was unsafe and landed it to prevent further danger. The load collapsed, trapping a contractor's foot, which Lynch then rescued with a crowbar. Irish Rail's investigation deemed Lynch's actions a reckless violation, leading to a final written warning and subsequent dismissal under a temporary contract provision. Lynch's union claimed the investigation was inadequate and the dismissal unfair. The Workplace Relations Commission ruled the dismissal procedurally and substantively unfair, denied reinstatement, and awarded Lynch €12,000 in compensation for the unfair dismissal. The decision was published on 2 July 2025.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Sacked Irish Rail worker who defied orders when crane became unsafe wins €12k for unfair dismissal. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• March 2023 Other
• 8 March 2023 Incident
• November 2022 Incident
• February 2023 Incident
• 2025-07-02 Publication

Why: Because of the fault, her client could not raise the gantry again, she said. CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial

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Read the original CNI report