Courts / Galway / Report

Tribunal adjudicator says witness can't testify from train carriage

Date
2025-07-21

Stage
Hearing Or Decision

Primary locality
Galway

County
Galway

Summary

A Workplace Relations Commission adjudication hearing involving applicant Kate Rellis was adjourned after the adjudicator determined that a defence witness was not in a suitable setting. The hearing, which concerned a complaint against the South East Technological University Student Union under the Payment of Wages Act 1991, was called on via videoconference but quickly suspended. Adjudication officer Gaye Cunningham noted that SETUSU president Erin Foley had joined from a car and welfare officer Lucy Kate Bosch was on a train. Ms Cunningham stated that background noise from other passengers made the environment unsatisfactory for a formal hearing, comparing it to being on a public street. Although Ms Foley indicated that Ms Bosch was a necessary witness, the adjudicator emphasized that respondents could have applied for a postponement if participants were unavailable in a safe setting. Ms Rellis expressed agreement with the decision but wished to proceed. The adjudicator instructed that all parties must be in a reasonably formal, office-like setting for the next date. The matter was adjourned pending a re-scheduled hearing as soon as possible.