Courts / Dublin / Report
Staff told not to talk about oven fire after primary school pupils evacuated, tribunal told
Summary
A worker at a primary school in Dublin was told not to discuss an oven fire that led to the evacuation of hundreds of pupils, a tribunal heard. The incident occurred in 2024 when the fire alarm was triggered by newly-installed ovens, prompting the school to be evacuated twice in one week. The worker, Ashley Staunton, reported the fire to the principal and vice-principal, but was later told by the regional manager not to discuss the incident. The company, The Lunch Bag Ltd, argued that the principals did not want the fire to deter parents from using the hot meals service. Staunton, who has claustrophobia, was reassigned to a smaller space, which she found distressing. She was eventually dismissed, and her legal team argued that her condition was exacerbated by the lack of fire safety training. The tribunal heard that the fire was caused by incorrect loading of the oven, but no performance issues were documented against Staunton.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Staff told not to talk about oven fire after primary school pupils evacuated, tribunal told. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision
When:
- 18 November Other
- Monday, 25 November Other
- 28 November Other
- 25 November Other
- 2026-04-17 Publication
Why: It was the second Monday in a row that the 340 pupils of Our Lady of Hope Senior National School in Littlepace, Dublin 15, were evacuated because the fire alarm was triggered by newly-installed commercial ovens at a kitchen in the school complex, the tribunal heard The incident was disclosed at a Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) hearing into a complaint by Clonee woman Ashley Staunton under the Employment Equality Act 1998 against The Lunch Bag Ltd, challenging her dismissal in 2024. CNI source report
Places mentioned
Topics
Related court reports
- Man charged with having 56k child abuse images and videos remanded on bail
- Ex-Dáil hopeful's allegations against former employer 'complete fantasy', WRC told
- Mater must pay €10k to worker who said he was wrongly accused of abusing patient
- 'I think we know I won't be getting bail' - Daniel Kinahan charged with directing criminal organisation
- Letting agent who claimed alleged domestic violence victim abandoned tenancy by fleeing to refuge must pay €14.7k
- 77-year-old with 470 convictions told Luas staff to 'f**k off'
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request