WRC rejects Galway council worker’s unfair dismissal claim over diesel purchases

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

The Workplace Relations Commission rejected Michael Walsh’s unfair dismissal complaint over Galway County Council’s decision to dismiss him for gross misconduct. The council’s inquiry found he had admitted to unauthorised fuel purchases on 12 occasions, and adjudicator Ewa Sobanska concluded he was not unfairly dismissed.

The council said its inquiry found €1,217 in unauthorised fuel purchases attributed to a hired van, along with further purchases initially assessed at €652.25 and later reduced to €395.25 after fuel linked to a teleporter was set aside. Walsh denied using any fuel for personal purposes; his union representative argued dismissal was disproportionate and the council had not properly considered his record and circumstances.