Courts / Waterford / Report
Disability charity boss wins record €323k for 'egregious' whistleblower penalisation
Summary
The Waterford Intellectual Disability Association (WIDA) has been ordered to pay over €320,000 in compensation to Fiona O'Neill, a senior manager, for alleged bullying and harassment by the former chairman. The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) found that WIDA penalized O'Neill in a most egregious manner while being fully aware of her protected disclosures. The case involved allegations that the chairman attempted to replace O'Neill and that the external HR consultant's reports went beyond their terms of reference. The WRC awarded the highest sum ever under the Protected Disclosures Act, and directed WIDA to quash the reports, cease the interim CEO position, and offer O'Neill a full apology. The new board of WIDA has conceded all allegations and offered an unequivocal apology.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Disability charity boss wins record €323k for 'egregious' whistleblower penalisation. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision
When:
- February 2023 Other
- March 2023 Other
- April 2023 Other
- January 2024 Other
- May 2025 Other
- 2026-07-22 Publication
Places mentioned
- High Court
Topics
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