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Irish safety authorities took 'no interest' in Aer Lingus pilot's concerns, WRC told
Summary
Irish air safety authorities reportedly showed no interest in an Aer Lingus pilot's concerns about alleged cabin air contamination, according to his legal team. However, within two weeks of the pilot raising the issue with the European Air Safety Authority (EASA), the airline grounded several planes in anticipation of an airworthiness directive. The pilot, Tom O'Riordan, claims he was unfairly dismissed after raising concerns about toxic fumes on a flight and suffered health issues as a result. The tribunal heard that the grounding of the planes was linked to potential damage to engine seals and gaskets. O'Riordan's legal team argues that he was penalized for whistleblowing, while the airline maintains there was no connection between the pilot's disclosure and the grounding of the planes. The case is ongoing, with the tribunal considering whether the pilot was unfairly dismissed and whether the airline's actions were influenced by his disclosures.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Irish safety authorities took 'no interest' in Aer Lingus pilot's concerns, WRC told. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- September 2024 Other
- June 2023 Hearing Or Sentence
- 9 March 2024 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2026-05-01 Publication
Why: "My client alerted the European authorities because the Irish authorities had no interest, and when he went to European level, they did something about it they issued an airworthiness directive," Mr O'Riordan's barrister, David Byrnes BL, said. CNI source report
Places mentioned
- High Court
Topics
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