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Courts / Westmeath / Report

Ousted IFI boss denies 'hounding' HR manager for assurances

Date
2026-07-02
Stage
Trial
Primary locality
Athlone
County
Westmeath

Summary

The former CEO of Inland Fisheries Ireland, Francis O'Donnell, has denied allegations that he pestered and hounded the agency's former HR director, Róisín Bradley, for written assurances regarding his future employment. O'Donnell, who was dismissed from his position in June 2025, refuted claims that he asked Bradley to meet privately and sign a prepared letter in a hotel car park. He described the allegations as "appalling" and denied any such conduct, emphasizing that Bradley was a high-performing individual with whom he had a strong working relationship. O'Donnell's legal team argued that there was a precedent in IFI for previous CEOs returning to their old roles after stepping down, and he cited an email from Bradley in December 2025 to support his claim. The case is being heard under the Unfair Dismissals Act 1977 and the Protected Disclosures Act 2014, with O'Donnell alleging that the allegations against him were part of an effort to pressure him into ending his investigation into alleged theft and fraud within the organization. The tribunal has adjourned for further proceedings.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Ousted IFI boss denies 'hounding' HR manager for assurances. Procedural stage: trial

When:

Why: The State agency's lawyers said Róisín Bradley would say she quit her job in November 2023 because Mr O'Donnell was "pestering and hounding" her for a statement in writing assuring him he was entitled to return to his old job. CNI source report

Places mentioned

Secondary Mention

Topics

Fraud Stage Trial Theft

Related court reports

Read the original CNI report

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