Courts / Dublin / Report

Collapsed security firm 'clearly racially discriminated against people of colour,' tribunal finds

Date
2026-05-06

Stage
Hearing Or Decision

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

A tribunal has ruled that a collapsed security firm, Best Guard Security Services Ltd (BGSS), clearly racially discriminated against people of colour in its employment practices. The Workplace Relations Commission awarded over €8,000 to James Ajibola, a former employee, for various employment rights breaches. Ajibola was left in serious financial difficulty after working hundreds of hours without pay at shops in central Dublin. He was promised €14.50 an hour but never received any payment. Dozens of former BGSS staff have won similar claims, with the firm's liquidator noting 53 ex-workers faced similar treatment. Nicola Coleman of the Siptu Workers' Rights Centre highlighted that white Irish or European employees in supervisory roles were likely paid, while black and Asian workers were not. The tribunal found systematic wage exploitation, which Coleman described as a template for exploitation akin to modern slavery. Adjudicator Michael McEntee noted the firm's failure to comply with employment regulations and awarded Ajibola €4,720.46 in total. The liquidator has advised the WRC that the Employers' Insolvency Fund will be used to meet the claims.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Collapsed security firm 'clearly racially discriminated against people of colour,' tribunal finds. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision

When: