O’Riordan concludes evidence in longest-running public WRC employment case

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

Tom O’Riordan has concluded his evidence in his Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) complaints against Aer Lingus, after the case became the longest-running employment rights case at the commission since public hearings began in 2021. He is pursuing complaints including whistleblower penalisation, unfair dismissal and non-payment of wages following his 2024 dismissal. Aer Lingus denies that he or others were put at risk and says his social media activity amounted to serious gross misconduct.

During cross-examination, O’Riordan said he made protected disclosures to the public and Aer Lingus crew, and described his picket outside the airline’s headquarters as a peaceful protest. He also confirmed that he did not engage further in disciplinary proceedings until appealing his dismissal; the airline’s chief operating officer upheld the sanction. The hearing has been adjourned while Aer Lingus considers whether to call more evidence about its sick pay scheme, before closing arguments scheduled for December.