Courts / Limerick / Report

Volunteer ousted after warning Church authorities of 'rogues' peddling 'fake relics', tribunal hears

Date
2026-06-03

Stage
Hearing Or Decision

Primary locality
Limerick

Summary

A preliminary hearing at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) was adjourned in a dispute between Frank Purcell, Purcell's Wrc, and the Augustinian Order. Mr. Purcell, a volunteer security officer at St Augustine's Church in Limerick City, filed a complaint under the Unfair Dismissals Act 1977, alleging he was dismissed after warning church authorities that "rogues" intended to sell "fake relics." The Augustinian Order's legal representatives objected to the tribunal hearing the substance of the case, arguing that Mr. Purcell had no standing under employment legislation because he was unpaid, with his WRC form listing gross weekly wages as €0.00. They contended the matter was not an employment issue but a dispute between parties. Mr. Purcell's counsel countered that the Protected Disclosures Act recognizes volunteers and that Mr. Purcell suffered penalisation for his disclosure after 16 years of service. Adjudication Officer Peter O'Brien noted the lack of compensation evidence and suggested the issue might be better resolved outside an industrial relations tribunal. The officer invited written legal submissions on the respondent's objection and closed the hearing, meaning the matter was adjourned rather than concluded.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Volunteer ousted after warning Church authorities of 'rogues' peddling 'fake relics', tribunal hears. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision

When: