Courts / Galway / Report
WRC upholds sacking of council employee who made unauthorised diesel purchases
Summary
The Workplace Relations Commission upheld the dismissal of Michael Walsh, a Galway County Council employee, after an internal inquiry found he had made unauthorised diesel purchases using council funds. Walsh, employed since 2013, was accused of theft, fraud and falsification of records. He had used a council‑supplied low‑value payment card to buy fuel on three occasions in December 2022, claiming the purchases were for a Transit van hired for his work. The inquiry determined he had made over 12 unauthorised fuel purchases totalling €1,217, with additional inappropriate purchases amounting to €652.25, later reduced to €395.25 after further findings. Walsh admitted the use of council cards for personal use but denied any wrongdoing. The WRC found no unfair dismissal and rejected his claim for statutory notice pay, confirming the council's decision to terminate his employment in February 2024.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: WRC upholds sacking of council employee who made unauthorised diesel purchases. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision
When:
- January 2023 Other
- December 2022 Other
- June 2023 Other
- February 2024 Other
- 2025-11-07 Publication
Why: The worker told an investigator he was "under stress" because he had to run his father's farm and had to travel long distances due to his personal circumstances, counsel added. CNI source report
Case subjects
Applicant
Places mentioned
Topics
Fraud Stage Hearing Or Decision Theft
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