Courts / Dublin / Report

Air Corps corporal with decades of 'exceptional' service appeals promotion refusal

Date
2026-04-20
Stage
Trial
Primary locality
Dublin
County
Dublin

Summary

An Air Corps corporal with almost 40 years of exceptional and meritorious service has been granted permission by the High Court to challenge a decision refusing his promotion to sergeant. Peter Dunne, 58, who is based at Casement-Baldonnel Aerodrome, Dublin, was refused the promotion on the basis there were no relevant vacancies for him to fill, despite the officer in charge of the Air Corps endorsing his promotion and recognising his 'selflessness' and commitment to the core values of the organisation. Mr Dunne joined the Defence Forces in 1988 and the Air Corps in 1989, and has distinguished service, including being a chef in the Corps and being promoted to corporal in 2005. He applied for promotion to sergeant on account of meritorious service and distinguished conduct, which was supported by testimonials from senior staff.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Air Corps corporal with decades of 'exceptional' service appeals promotion refusal. Procedural stage: trial

When:

Why: Mr Dunne submits there is no requirement in the regulations that there be a relevant vacancy in order to obtain a meritorious promotion, specifically from corporal to sergeant. CNI source report

Case subjects

Peter Dunne

Applicant

Outcome: Ms Justice Sara Phelan granted permission for Mr Dunne to challenge the decision and adjourned the matter to June.

Places mentioned

Court Venue
  • High Court
Secondary Mention

Topics

Stage Trial

Related court reports

Read the original CNI report

Correction or retraction request

If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.

Email a correction request