Seamus Behan loses unfair dismissal claim over depot altercation

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

The Workplace Relations Commission rejected Seamus Behan’s unfair dismissal claim against Liberties Recycling Development and Training CLG, finding substantial grounds justified his dismissal after an altercation with a colleague.

Adjudicator Eileen Campbell found, on the balance of probabilities, that Behan’s actions and behaviour on the day were aggressive, uncontrolled and unacceptable. She said the company’s account was more convincing than his.

Behan, who had worked for the company as a van driver for 12 years, was dismissed in February 2024. He denied grabbing his colleague by the throat or using a homophobic slur, and said the colleague had insulted his religious beliefs during the row.