Courts / Ireland / Report
Recycling worker who got 'aggressive' after 'lackery about Pope' loses challenge to sacking
2025-07-18
Hearing Or Decision
Summary
Seamus Behan, a 12‑year van driver for Liberties Recycling Development and Training CLG, lost his unfair dismissal claim after the Workplace Relations Commission rejected his complaint. The company said Behan's conduct on 20 December 2023, when he allegedly shouted abuse, behaved aggressively and damaged property, amounted to gross misconduct. Management had suspended both Behan and the other worker, Mr A, and sent them home. Behan's representative argued that witness statements were hand‑picked and that CCTV footage, which had been taped over during the Christmas break, was omitted. Behan denied using a slur and claimed he was provoked by Mr A's remarks about his religious beliefs. The tribunal, following the company's evidence, found Behan's behaviour to be aggressive, uncontrolled and unacceptable, and upheld the dismissal.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Recycling worker who got 'aggressive' after 'lackery about Pope' loses challenge to sacking. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision
When:
- February 2024 Other
- 20 December 2023 Hearing Or Sentence
- December 2023 Other
- Christmas Incident
- New Year Incident
- 2025-07-18 Publication
Why: Because I didn't know anything about the 14th, I was at the van, and he was at the van. CNI source report
Topics
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