WRC decision awaited on Louis Reardon’s transfer complaint

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

The Workplace Relations Commission was awaiting a decision on veterinary inspector Louis Reardon’s complaint about his transfer from the Department of Agriculture’s special investigations unit. The proceedings were reported on 1 August 2023. Adjudicator Tom O’Driscoll said a decision would issue within 42 days.

Reardon alleged that he was transferred because of a protected disclosure accusing senior officials and politicians of interfering to block investigations. The department denied the claims and said the inspectors were moved following an internal review.

Reardon made his disclosure to then agriculture minister Michael Creed on 2 August 2017. The next day, his manager Pat Flanagan suggested he consider moving to a wildlife unit or risk being transferred out of investigations. Flanagan said he had approached Reardon at the request of Michael Sheehan, then director of veterinary services.

Department barrister Sarah-Jane Hillery said the transfer followed the review’s recommendations and that the review had begun before the disclosure. Tim Drea said he decided in June 2020 to transfer Reardon, John McConville and a third longstanding member of the division.

Drea confirmed that up to eight of Reardon’s investigations had fallen by the wayside after his transfer, but said the files did not contain “earth-shattering” material. Reardon sought reinstatement to his former unit if the adjudicator found in his favour.

This case may have concluded differently. The outcome has not yet been confirmed by a public source we could find.