Michael O’Sullivan wins €3,000 unfair dismissal appeal

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

Michael O’Sullivan was awarded €3,000 for unfair dismissal by the Labour Court. The proceedings were reported on 31 August 2023.

The Labour Court ruled in favour of his appeal against the Workplace Relations Commission’s €250 award. It found Claddagh Resources’ employee handbook wholly inadequate and said the company had not appeared to follow its written procedures.

The court found no credible evidence that the company had carried out a full and fair investigation into O’Sullivan’s email before summarily dismissing him. It also found that he contributed significantly to his dismissal through sustained underperformance and an inappropriate, threatening email to a colleague.

The Labour Court said reinstatement and re-engagement were unsuitable remedies and assessed O’Sullivan’s contribution to his dismissal at at least 50 per cent.