Courts / Dublin / Report

Ex-IFI CEO alleges he was subjected to 'intimidation and threats' after suspending chairman's brother

Date
2026-03-03

Stage
Hearing Or Decision

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

Francis O'Donnell, former CEO of Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI), alleged before the Workplace Relations Commission that he was subjected to intimidation and threats by the organisation's former chairman, Fintan Gorman, following the suspension of Fintan Gorman's brother, Pat Gorman. Mr O'Donnell, who served as CEO from 2020 to 2025, filed complaints under the Protected Disclosures Act 2014 and the Unfair Dismissals Act 1977, claiming he was penalised as a whistleblower and unfairly dismissed. His evidence centred on the January 2022 suspension of Pat Gorman, a district director, after a protected disclosure alleged he kept a State-owned tractor at his home and used an IFI fuel card. Mr O'Donnell stated that Fintan Gorman warned him the tractor would be his undoing and later made remarks suggesting his senior management would desert him. The complainant further alleged that board discussions regarding governance were leaked to a journalist, a personal friend of the Gorman brothers, to weaponise issues against him. He claimed the chairman threatened to make public information about him if he did not address the suspension. Adjudicator Michael MacNamee has adjourned the matter overnight. In a separate 2023 case, the WRC upheld Pat Gorman's unfair dismissal complaint against IFI but rejected his reinstatement application, finding his dismissal unreasonable despite his error in judgment regarding the tractor.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Ex-IFI CEO alleges he was subjected to 'intimidation and threats' after suspending chairman's brother. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision

When: