At a preliminary hearing in Newry Magistrate's Court on 3 July 2024, former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson (61) and his wife Eleanor (58) were remanded on bail to face a series of child sexual offence charges. The judge, Eamonn King, found a prima facie case and asked the couple whether they wished to give a written or oral statement; Mr Donaldson declined, and Mrs Donaldson answered "No." Both were ordered to return on 10 September for their Crown Court trial. Mr Donaldson is charged with one count of rape (1987‑1991), 13 counts of indecent assault on a female child (1987‑1991) and four counts of gross indecency towards a child (2005‑2008). Mrs Donaldson faces charges of aiding and abetting rape (1987‑1991), three counts of aiding and abetting indecent assault on a female child and one count of child cruelty (2004‑2008). They were required to sign bail conditions before leaving the court's cell area.
Sir Jeffrey Donaldson and his wife, Eleanor Donaldson, appeared at Newry Magistrate's Court for a preliminary enquiry to determine whether they should be sent forward for trial on sexual offence charges. The former Lagan Valley MP, aged 61, and his wife, aged 58, both of Dromore, Co Down, face a total of 23 alleged charges. Mr Donaldson is accused of one count of rape, four counts of gross indecency with or towards a child, and 13 counts of indecent assault, with alleged incidents occurring between 1985 and 2006. Mrs Donaldson faces five charges of aiding and abetting rape and aiding and abetting indecent assault, along with two counts of cruelty to a person under 16, alleged to have occurred between 1985 and 2004. Judge Eamonn King was scheduled to consider prosecution statements and depositions to decide if a prima facie case exists. If sufficient evidence is found, the accused would be asked to enter pleas. The matter is currently at the charge or pretrial stage, with no findings, sentences, or finalisations recorded in this report.
Jennifer Keane, who had ADHD and autism, claimed she was denied an interview for a technical lead role at Edwards Vacuum Technology Ireland Limited because of her neurodivergence. She had requested a regular eight‑hour shift schedule as a disability accommodation, but the company had rejected her request and told her the role would be "far too stressful" for her. Keane said the company also wanted to see her attendance improve, implying her sick leave made her less favourable. She resigned, alleging discrimination and transphobia, and was escorted off the premises. Edwards denied any disability discrimination, noting that two of the shortlisted candidates had more relevant experience and perfect attendance records. The tribunal found Keane's claim speculative and unsupported by evidence, and rejected it. The case was decided by adjudicator Breiffní O'Neill.
Templeogue College was ordered to pay €39,912 to teacher Jenny Clancy after the Workplace Relations Commission found that she was penalised for signing a collective staff grievance. The commission ruled that Clancy was intimidated by principal Niamh Quinn during an August 2022 meeting, had her working hours altered, and faced disciplinary proceedings. The award, equivalent to 15 months' salary, was based on Clancy's complaint under the Protected Disclosures Act 2014. The school closed its case without presenting witness evidence, and its lawyers had said Quinn would deny the allegations. The adjudicator noted that Clancy was the only job‑sharing teacher who signed the grievance and that the other signatories were not penalised. The decision was made after Clancy's appeal panel, which included representatives from the ASTI, the Joint Managerial Body and independent chair Eamon Stack, was heard by the WRC. The award was granted on the basis of multiple and sustained acts of penalisation.
At the Special Criminal Court on 24 June 2024, 46‑year‑old Jason 'Jay' O'Connor of Whitestown Grove, Blanchardstown, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to murder Charlie Cooper, who was shot at his home in Mulhuddart on 5 December 2016. O'Connor had previously been accused of the attempted murder of Cooper and of possessing a 9 mm firearm and 12 rounds of ammunition with intent to endanger life at the same location and date. He also faced a charge of facilitating a criminal organisation in the commission of serious offences, namely murder and the sale or supply of drugs. During the hearing, O'Connor answered "guilty" to the charges of conspiracy to murder and of participating in or contributing to activities that could facilitate a serious offence by a criminal organisation. The case was adjourned to 30 July for further proceedings. The court did not yet impose a sentence.
A mixed-race worker has been awarded €5,000 in compensation for racial harassment following a complaint under the Employment Equality Act 1998. The adjudicator, Orla Jones, found that comments allegedly made by a supervisor, identified as Ms H, in a work canteen on 19 July 2023 created an intimidating and offensive environment for the complainant. The worker alleged that Ms H made hateful remarks regarding immigrants, stating they were 'mixing with us.' While the employer's investigation could not confirm or deny the comments, and Ms H denied making them in that context, the tribunal was satisfied the remarks had the effect of harassment. The decision was anonymised due to overlapping matters under an Industrial Relations Act claim. Ms Jones ruled the complaint well-founded, noting it was unsatisfactory that the employer failed to engage further on a transfer request, which she deemed a failure to reverse the effects of harassment. However, she rejected claims of less favourable treatment regarding the transfer refusal and any allegation that the worker was penalised for making the complaint. The case was concluded with the award of compensation.
Two social care workers, Mr X and Ms Y, lost claims for sexual harassment and discrimination after a child's unsubstantiated allegation that they had sex on night duty at a residential home. The boy, Boy YP, reported hearing the workers and later contacted Ms Y's girlfriend, alleging a relationship between the workers. Mr X said the allegation was a rumor spread by a former colleague, Mr CD, who he claimed had coerced the boy. Ms Y said she was subjected to intrusive questioning about her sexuality by managers and that the company's policy on pay during investigations was changed after her complaint. Both workers were suspended without pay, later resigned, and the Workplace Relations Commission found that the investigation meetings were stressful and that the workers had not established discrimination on the grounds of gender, sexual orientation or family status.
Ryan Kearney, 38, of Loughnamona Drive, Leixlip, Co Kildare, is charged with murdering 50‑year‑old Jeffrey Jackson in an apartment on The Lamp, School Street, Kilcock, Co Kildare, on 8 February. The Central Criminal Court will hear the case on 18 June 2025, with a trial expected to last two weeks. The case was listed for case management on 25 October.
Two men resident in the Republic are contesting extradition proceedings at the High Court in connection with charges arising from the 1975 murder of an RUC constable in County Derry. John Edward McNicholl, aged 72, of Newmills, Letterkenny, and Seamus Christopher O'Kane, aged 73, of Scalestown, County Meath, face allegations relating to the death of Constable Robert John McPherson on 26 July 1975 and the attempted murder of a second officer. McNicholl is charged with murder and attempted murder, while O'Kane faces charges of firearms possession, including a weapon taken during the incident. Legal representatives for both men indicated they will argue the extradition request constitutes an abuse of process. Counsel for McNicholl emphasised that his client has resided in Ireland since 2003, with authorities making no previous surrender attempt until this year. The High Court adjourned proceedings to 10 July to allow time for comprehensive objections to be prepared. Both men remain on bail pending further hearing.
During a Workplace Relations Commission hearing, Brendan Ogle's legal representative, Mary‑Paula Guinness BL, argued that Ogle would still hold a full role at Unite the Union if not for his cancer diagnosis. Ogle, who returned to work as Unite's senior officer for the Republic of Ireland after treatment for aggressive throat cancer, claims he was discriminated against because of his disability. Guinness cited evidence that a union employee stopped sending work to Ogle, though she said no one instructed her to do so. Unite's counsel, Mark Harty SC, contended that Ogle had refused available roles upon his return and that the evidence was being mischaracterised as a disability claim. Ogle's allegations include failure to provide reasonable accommodation, victimisation and harassment, and he has accused the union of excluding him from a new strategic plan for Ireland. The tribunal has heard conflicting accounts from Ogle and Tom Fitzgerald, who was promoted during Ogle's sick leave.
Emmanuel Foley and Jeanette Afi Aboni, applicants residing at Cruise Park, Tyrrelstown Dublin, have brought a High Court action against Dublin City Council (DCC) regarding Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) contributions. The family, who have lived at the property for nearly four years, alleges that DCC reduced its monthly payment to the landlord, Orkstake Limited, from approximately €2,000 to just over €1,640. This reduction was implemented because DCC refused to cover €300 for a car parking space and €85 for service charges, which are included in the lease. The applicants claim DCC acted unlawfully and unreasonably, asserting that the council was aware of the lease terms in 2020 and that the charges are non-severable. Following a notice of termination issued by the landlord in April due to alleged arrears of over €1,300, the family fears homelessness. The applicants seek orders quashing DCC's decision to limit payments and compelling the council to pay the full HAP amount. They also seek declarations that DCC's actions were unlawful and that the family has a legitimate expectation of full payment. The matter was heard on an ex-parte basis by Ms Justice Niamh Hyland, who granted the applicants permission to bring the action. The case is at the pre-trial stage and was adjourned, with the matter set to return before the court next month.
In a preliminary hearing before the Workplace Relations Commission, Brendan Burke, a senior project manager at Bretland Construction Ltd, claimed he was unfairly dismissed after sending a mass email to nearly 40 staff. Burke says he was told to apologise and accept a demotion, with a threat that failure to sign would result in dismissal. He asserts the company denies dismissal and insists he resigned on 15 November 2023, the day after the email. Burke seeks €20,000 for loss of earnings and alleges unpaid deductions. The company, represented by Jerry Lane, argues Burke committed major misconduct, citing the email as harassment and insubordination, and claims Burke declined to sign the apology letter. The tribunal is considering the burden of proof under the Unfair Dismissals Act 1977, with no decision yet made. The case is scheduled for further hearing in September.
A 72-year-old man arrested in Letterkenny, Co Donegal, has been granted bail at the High Court following his arrest on a Northern Irish warrant. John Edward McNicholl is alleged to have murdered RUC Constable Robert John McPherson during an ambush in Dungiven, Co Derry, on 26 July 1975. He faces an additional four charges relating to the possession of explosives and firearms at Garvagh, Co Derry, on 16 February 1976. Independent TD Thomas Pringle offered to act as an independent surety for bail. The court heard that consent to bail has been given by the Minister for Justice, subject to conditions including a cash lodgement of €7,000, surrender of travel documents, and weekly sign-ons at Letterkenny Garda Station. Mr Justice Patrick McGrath approved the bail arrangements. The case will return to court on 2 and 3 July.
In a High Court challenge, an unnamed man argues that the Garda Commissioner's alleged blanket policy of refusing station bail to individuals accused of breaching domestic violence orders is unlawful. He was arrested two years ago for allegedly breaching a protection order against his estranged wife, at a time when their relationship had collapsed. Despite no objection to bail, he was denied station bail and remained in custody until a District Court hearing. He claims the policy, in force since 2017, lacks legal basis, violates his constitutional liberty and European Convention rights, and seeks orders to quash the refusal, the policy's publication, and to remove it from the 2017 "Policy of An Garda Siochana on Domestic Abuse Intervention Revised Edition." The court granted permission ex‑parte, and the case will return later this month.
The Workplace Relations Commission adjudicator found Anglo Irish Refrigeration Co Ltd's conduct in the dismissal of former engineer Shane Guilfoyle to be "particularly reprehensible". Guilfoyle was dismissed in January 2023 after a series of complaints about a work van's lack of air‑conditioning and heat stress. He alleged that the company presented altered photos of the van and job reports, and that he was denied union representation at a disciplinary hearing where he was threatened with a gross‑misconduct charge. The adjudicator noted that the company's investigation failed to reach a factual finding and that the alleged performance issues and damage charges disappeared during the process. Guilfoyle was awarded €4,000 in compensation for unfair dismissal, the maximum in the absence of loss, and the company was ordered to pay the €1,471.57 docked from his wages and three days' pay for unpaid leave. The adjudicator rejected claims of excessive working hours.
In a 2016 hijacking, 29‑year‑old Ryan Cannon stabbed a taxi driver seven times, leaving the victim severely injured and bleeding on a road. The driver, who had parked outside a McDonald's in Airside Retail Park, was attacked after two men entered his cab. Cannon forced the driver to drive, then stabbed him while the driver tried to escape. The cab was later found burnt out in Balbriggan. Cannon, who had previously been convicted of drug and public‑order offences, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm and unlawful seizure of a vehicle. The court, noting the victim's extensive injuries and the use of a knife, imposed a four‑year prison sentence on Cannon, with no part of the sentence suspended. The judge highlighted the seriousness of the offence and the victim's forgiveness, but did not reduce the custodial term. The case was heard in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
In a case heard by the Workplace Relations Commission, SuperValu dismissed Szymon Oasidrowski for alleged gross misconduct, claiming he had slept while clocked in and used coins from a "take‑a‑penny" tray to pay for food. Oasidrowski, who had worked for Musgrave Operating Partners Ireland Ltd for over a decade, was accused of 13 separate breaches in March and April 2023, including staying in the canteen for up to two hours while still clocked in and failing to pay for items such as bread rolls and soup. He also allegedly used customer coins from the tray to purchase items. The company's disciplinary officer, Lynne McManus, admitted there was no written policy on staff use of the tray, but stated staff could use it only when clocked out and not for the full amount of a purchase.
During a Workplace Relations Commission hearing on a disability discrimination complaint by Brendan Ogle against Unite, senior Unite officer Tom Fitzgerald testified that including Ogle's name in an organisational chart would have been "controversial" because it could be seen as suggesting his duties. Fitzgerald explained that he had been promoted to regional coordinating officer while Ogle was on sick leave and that he had been told by line manager Jackie Pollock that Ogle did not want to work in Dundalk. Fitzgerald said he understood Ogle would remain a regional industrial officer but work from Dublin. He denied that Ogle had been told by Unite's general secretary Sharon Graham that he was excluded from a Republic of Ireland plan, and stated that the organisational chart presented on 20 December 2022 did not include Ogle. The hearing concluded with the case adjourned for closing arguments on 18 June.
At a Cork sitting of the Central Criminal Court, five family members and a teenager pleaded not guilty to the murder of Thomas 'Tom' Dooley, 43, during a funeral at Rath Cemetery, Rathass, Tralee, on 5 October 2022. The accused include Patrick Dooley (36), Thomas Dooley Senior (43), Thomas Dooley Junior (21), Michael Dooley (29), Daniel Dooley (42) and an unnamed teenager. Thomas Dooley Junior is also charged with assault causing serious harm to Dooley's wife, Siobhán. The trial may last over two months, potentially until 31 July, and is expected to start next week.
In a Workplace Relations Commission hearing, former Unite boss Mandy La Combre testified that her husband Brendan Ogle's Facebook post on 11 September 2022 criticised the union and was intended to pre‑empt "trolling" from council water workers upset over an industrial agreement. La Combre said she feared a repeat of earlier online harassment and wanted to "put it to bed." She claimed Ogle had been "frozen out of staff and activist meetings" and that a move to a reduced role in Dundalk had been attempted. The union's former chairman, Tony Woodhouse, had spoken at a conference about "lies" on social media, prompting Ogle to issue legal proceedings against Woodhouse for defamation. Unite's counsel argued that La Combre's post was a "hand grenade" and that the Irish Examiner had published her contact details. The tribunal heard that Ogle's lawyers failed to secure a summons of Unite's general secretary, Sharon Graham, as a witness.
Setanta Landers of Setanta Solicitors appeared before the Workplace Relations Commission on behalf of applicant Nico Holloway, who has brought complaints against Citi Bus Ltd, trading as Dublin Coach, under the Protected Disclosures Act 2014, the Unfair Dismissals Act 1977, and the Employment Equality Act 1998. The applicant alleged that the respondent operated defective and dangerous public vehicles and that he was penalised for raising these concerns. Mr. Landers described the allegations as a matter of grave public importance, noting that the applicant had recovered photos and video footage from a broken mobile phone. The respondent's counsel, Ray Ryan BL, applied for an adjournment, arguing that the applicant had submitted a booklet of evidence, including defect notifications, on the afternoon prior to the hearing. Mr. Ryan stated that the respondent would be seriously prejudiced if the hearing proceeded without time to take instructions. Mr. Landers opposed the application, asserting that the documents were the respondent's own internal records and that no new allegations were being made. Adjudicator David James Murphy granted the adjournment, deeming it extraordinary to force the respondent to proceed given the late submission of documents. The matter was adjourned pending the fixing of a new date, with the applicant given one week to make further submissions and the respondent three weeks to reply.
Logistics firm DHL faced a tribunal case after long‑serving warehouseman Oscar Solano Fernandez claimed the company tried to avoid paying him a redundancy lump sum by relocating him to a site four hours from his home. Solano, a stock picker from Madrid who had worked at DHL since 2008, said the new site near Donabate would require a two‑hour commute each way, compared with a 15‑minute trip to his former Oak Road site in Clondalkin. He alleged that DHL's transfer process was opaque and that the company discriminated against him as a father by not considering the impact on his family. His lawyer argued he was entitled to a statutory redundancy package of €18,300, lost earnings due to a pay cut, and compensation for discrimination.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, a 20‑year‑old defendant pleaded guilty to three counts of rape, one of anal rape and one of oral rape committed between April 2017 and March 2018 against his 14‑year‑old cousin, who was aged eight to nine at the time. The victim, now 14, said the abuse has devastated her parents, grandparents and wider family, who no longer gather for special occasions. She described the defendant as a "big brother" who now appears as a monster. The defendant admitted watching pornography, including Pornhub, at the time of the offences and expressed remorse, shame and disgust. He has no prior convictions and was allowed to remain on bail while the Probation Service conducts a risk assessment and he completes a college work placement. The case was adjourned to 1 July for these matters.
In a tribunal hearing, the Department of Agriculture was found to have no evidence supporting a whistleblower's claim that a former harbourmaster at Rossaveal accepted a large cash envelope to allow a vessel to be scrapped there without paying substantial fees. The Harbourmaster, identified only as "Captain B," was cleared of all but one minor allegation, which involved using a state vehicle to transport a relative to school. The Workplace Relations Commission determined that the harbourmaster retaliated against the whistleblower, Padraic O'Toole, by attempting to bill him for berthing a personal vessel at the harbour, despite the fact that staff had been allowed to tie up boats there free of charge for years. O'Toole had previously reported concerns about alleged inappropriate financial arrangements, including the sale of scrap metal at below‑value prices and incorrect rates charged to fishing vessels.
In a 2024 WRC ruling, the tribunal found that after PBR Restaurants Ltd was bought out of examinership in December 2019, the new management used the Covid‑19 pandemic to carry out a "blinkered, cynical" redundancy process that targeted founder Padraic Hanley and his three sons. The tribunal awarded Stephen Hanley €61,549 in total, including €46,385 for unfair dismissal, €13,800 statutory redundancy, €11,596 for a working‑time breach and €3,568 for a failure to provide written terms. His brothers David and Phillip received €20,000 and €30,000 respectively for unfair dismissal, while their father received €5,500 for a breach of the Terms of Employment (Information) Act but failed in his dismissal claim. The decision brought the total awards to the Hanley family to over €117,049, and PBR Restaurants Ltd was ordered to pay €130,318 to former employees who alleged unfair dismissal following the buyout.
Dorothy Roe, 37, pleaded guilty to possession of proceeds of crime after authorities found €42,430 in cash in her car. She kept ledgers at home and owned a Hyundai with a concealed compartment, though she had no expertise to install it. Defence argued she acted as a "stooge" for others, motivated by a brother's drug debt and her own addiction. Gardaí had surveilled her following confidential tips, noting her visits to properties in Lucan and Clondalkin and a stop at Bluebell where the cash was seized. Roe admitted possession, expressed remorse, and cooperated. She has no prior convictions for this type of offence, receives social welfare, and is a carer for her son and mother. The case was adjourned to July 8 for a probation report.
Richard Satchwell, aged 57, faces trial for the murder of his wife, Tina Satchwell, aged 45, who was found buried beneath the stairwell of their shared home on Grattan Street, Youghal, Cork. The body was discovered in October 2023, more than six years after Tina was reported missing on 24 March 2017. Satchwell, a former British truck driver now resident in Cork for over 20 years, was charged with the murder on 20 March 2017. His defence, led by Brendan Grehan SC, plans to present extensive evidence, including witness interviews and media statements. The case, originating in Cork, is scheduled for a six‑week trial at the Central Criminal Court, with a trial date set for 28 April 2025. The case was listed for case management on 11 October 2023, and Satchwell was forwarded to the Central Criminal Court on 26 March 2024 after receiving the book of evidence.
Geraldine O'Donnell, a 65‑year‑old community worker with 27 years of service at St Munchin's Community Centre, was dismissed for taking a pair of knitted socks she believed were to be discarded. She claimed she found the socks on boxes in the reception area in November 2022 and, after being questioned by CEO Linda Ledger, admitted to taking them. O'Donnell was immediately suspended and later sacked for gross misconduct. The Workplace Relations Commission found the dismissal unfair, noting that O'Donnell's explanation was reasonable and that the disciplinary process was disproportionate. The commission awarded her €15,000 in compensation for the loss of earnings and the impact on her reputation. The case highlighted the lack of consideration for her mistaken belief and her long, unblemished record.
Ryan Kelly, 25, was sentenced to six years in prison by the Special Criminal Court for his role in a sophisticated enterprise involving a loaded .38 calibre Smith & Wesson revolver and stolen cars. Kelly, who was 22 at the time of the offence, pleaded guilty to possession of the revolver and five rounds of ammunition, with evidence that the weapon was found in a taxi and in a Volvo car where he was a passenger. He was seen handing the gun to a taxi driver and later dropping it into the vehicle's window. The court noted that Kelly acted in concert with others, including Anthony Walker, and that the weapon was fully loaded, indicating it was not for lawful use. The judge set a headline sentence of ten years, reduced to seven years with the last year suspended for three years on condition of probation. Kelly had nine prior convictions, mainly for public order and traffic offences.
In a case brought before the Workplace Relations Commission, Margaret Fitzpatrick, a gym member for about fourteen years, claimed age‑based discrimination after being denied a student discount at West Wood Club CLG. Fitzpatrick, who became a full‑time student in April 2023, presented her student card in May 2023 but was told she was ineligible because she was "more than 25 years old." She served statutory notice in June, but the gym's solicitors denied any unlawful discrimination, arguing that the discount was limited to students under 25. The WRC adjudicator, Jim Dolan, applied a hypothetical comparator approach, comparing Fitzpatrick's situation with that of a full‑time student under 25 who would receive the discount. Finding the claim well‑founded, he ordered West Wood to pay Fitzpatrick €3,000 in compensation for the age‑based discrimination. The decision was made in April 2024.
Tina Mary Lukose, a nurse who had been pregnant since January 2022, claimed that Riada Care Ltd, trading as Glenashling Nursing Home, discriminated against her by refusing to offer a permanent contract after her fixed‑term contract ended in August 2022. She had requested annual leave for September and was told the firm would not provide a permanent contract. She was offered a new fixed‑term contract until October 2022, which she accepted because of her advanced pregnancy and difficulty finding alternative employment. The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) held a hearing on 30 November 2023. The company's lawyer argued the complaint was invalid because the complaint form listed the firm's trading name rather than its legal entity, but the WRC judge, Breiffni O'Neill, proceeded with the hearing and found no evidence from the employer to rebut the claim of gender discrimination.
Two men from County Cavan have pleaded guilty to assisting the IRA at the Special Criminal Court. Desmond Smith, aged 64, of Kilnavara Crescent, and Stephen Hamill, aged 51, of Willow Ridge, Gortnakesh, each admitted to knowingly rendering assistance to an organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army in furtherance of an unlawful object. Smith's offence occurred on 18 May 2021, while Hamill's took place on 13 March 2021. Both men were arrested in February last year by members of the Special Detective Unit. The charges arise under section 21a of the Offences against the State Act 1939. Justice Caroline Biggs, presiding, adjourned sentencing to 15 May. Both defendants remain on bail pending their sentencing hearing.
In a 2024 industrial dispute, a psychological therapist, Ms AB, was demoted after a patient, Ms SU, alleged that she had deliberately allowed the patient to see up her skirt during a counselling session and told her to "take a good look." Ms SU, a survivor of child sexual abuse, claimed the therapist's position made her uncomfortable and that the therapist had not adjusted her posture. The therapist maintained the incident was an innocent accident, stating the long skirt would have made it difficult for the patient to see. The WRC adjudicator found the employer's investigation flawed and criticized the three‑year delay in reaching a decision. Ms AB was demoted to clerical officer in April 2021, and the tribunal recommended €177,618 in compensation for the loss of her position, career and reputation. The award was intended to compensate Ms AB and deter similar future disputes.
Fintech entrepreneur Roy Zakka faced a Workplace Relations Commission decision after a former senior employee, Mary O'Dell, alleged that he made derogatory remarks about Irish people during a phone call in late May last year. The tribunal found Zakka's conduct "completely unprofessional" and noted that he blamed an Irish executive for the company's payroll failure and subsequent redundancies. O'Dell, who had not received her salary since 28 April 2023, claimed unpaid wages and unfair dismissal. The WRC awarded her €91,188.13 in compensation and ordered Layer Digital Solutions Ltd to pay €38,819.38 in unpaid wages. The decision also imposed a €52,368.75 compensation award for breach of the Unfair Dismissals Act. The case was heard without Zakka's presence, and no response was recorded from him or the firm. The tribunal also rejected a separate claim by contractor Rodrique Rizk for €12,000, finding he was not an employee at the relevant time.
In April 2024 the Workplace Relations Commission rejected Tracey McGann's equality claim against ERS Genomics. McGann, a former finance manager, alleged that CEO Eric Rhodes treated her "like a waitress" when he asked her to order more wine at a company dinner in October 2022. She also claimed discrimination, victimisation and constructive dismissal under the Employment Equality Act 1998. The commission found no evidence of discrimination or victimisation. It held that Rhodes's request for more wine was based on the assumption that McGann held the corporate credit card, a role that could have been held by any staff member regardless of gender. The commission also rejected McGann's constructive dismissal claim, noting that her resignation followed a short notice period and that the company's decision to hire a finance vice‑president was not a reaction to her part‑time request. The adjudicator concluded that none of the allegations amounted to discrimination or victimisation.
Sharanjeet Kaur, a chef from India, claimed she was subjected to daily sexual harassment and discrimination at Bombay Bhappa Ltd in Skerries, Dublin. She said the director forced her to withdraw cash from an ATM after receiving her wages, paid her as little as €200 a week, and threatened blackmail and deportation. Kaur alleged that colleagues falsely accused her of improper relations, attempted to blackmail her, and made unwanted sexual advances. She reported being forced to work 50 hours a week for €4.46 an hour, with minimal breaks and a five‑minute lunch. After refusing to comply with the cash‑withdrawal demand, she was dismissed in November 2022. The Workplace Relations Commission found the employer breached the Employment Equality Act, Unfair Dismissals Act, and other labour laws, awarding Kaur €143,268 in compensation and damages. The case was heard in 2024.
Emmet Kelly, a bin worker, admitted he may have been using a mobile phone when he fell from the back of a refuse collection truck on 6 December 2021 and broke his ankle. He claimed that the incident occurred while he was on the passenger side footboard as the truck turned right on a straight stretch of road, and he could not recall whether his foot or hand slipped first. After the fall, Kelly was issued a final written warning, later downgraded to a first written warning, which was to remain on his personnel file for 24 months from April 2022. He alleged that Bord na Mona Recycling Ltd had subjected him to an unfair disciplinary process in breach of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005. The Workplace Relations Commission rejected his claim, finding no protected act and that the complaint was not well founded. The decision was published on 25 March 2024.
Three business founders from Longford have had their discrimination claim against Enterprise Ireland dismissed by the Workplace Relations Commission for a second time. Mark Keenan, Michael O'Reilly and Robert Yorke, who own the sharing economy platform LendRB Ltd, alleged they were told during a 2022 funding interview that they "didn't have enough diversity". The complainants sought to proceed on the basis that discrimination occurred against them as individuals rather than the corporate entity. However, adjudicating officer Niamh O'Carroll found the new complaint was identical to a previous claim already rejected in 2023 on statutory grounds. Ms O'Carroll noted the matter had been ruled statute-barred and that a corporate entity cannot refer an equality claim under legislation. The founders indicated their intention to pursue the matter to the Labour Court.
A 62-year-old man from Donegal has pleaded guilty to the unlawful killing of his mother by arson at the Central Criminal Court. Geunter Lohse admitted to the unlawful killing of Ruth Lohse, who died in a house fire at Coolvoy, Doochary on April 12, 2022. The murder charge against him will be withdrawn, with the arson charge to be taken into account. Lohse was remanded in custody pending sentencing on May 16, when a psychiatric report will be presented to the court. The victim's family is expected to make a statement at the sentencing hearing.
Darren Ducoté, 48, a former award‑winning entrepreneur, was sentenced to two years in prison for recklessly holding €1.23 million in crime proceeds in his company's bank account. The money, transferred from German investors between January and May 2021, was allegedly intended to fund a vertical wheatgrass farm in Turkey. Ducoté claimed the funds were for a legitimate project with Mayfair International and Gonka Logistics Group, but the bank and Gardaí found no evidence of such a venture. He admitted to transferring the money out of jurisdiction and later attempted to recall payments. The judge noted the large amount involved and that criminals benefited, concluding Ducoté should have known better. He had prior convictions, including a serious assault as a minor, and a psychiatric report cited severe anxiety, ADHD and autism. The sentence reflects the seriousness of the financial misconduct and the lack of recovery of the laundered funds.
Donegal Garda Keith Harrison has filed a High Court challenge to lift a three‑year suspension from duty. He claims the suspension, imposed in March 2021, is based on allegations that he entered a consensual relationship with a woman who had previously reported herself as a crime victim. Harrison denies any wrongdoing, stating the relationship was consensual, that they have a child, and that the woman has not sought criminal prosecution. He alleges that the Garda disciplinary process is unfair, procedurally flawed, and that evidence has not been properly disclosed to him. Harrison also claims the suspension is an abuse of process and seeks orders to quash the suspension, the appointment of the investigating officer, and the continuation of the inquiry. The High Court has granted him permission to proceed with the challenge, with the case set to return next month. The matter involves ongoing internal Garda disciplinary proceedings and a prior investigation by the Disclosures Tribunal.
The Central Criminal Court has seen delays in murder trials because defence lawyers struggle to secure psychiatric assessments for their clients. Although up to 20 % of murder cases involve psychiatric issues, HSE‑employed psychiatrists are not legally required to provide reports for either side. Defence psychiatrists work voluntarily, and a lack of available experts has created a backlog. The Criminal Legal Aid scheme pays psychiatrists €120 per hour, far below the €184 rate approved for State prosecutors, discouraging experts from taking defence work. The Department of Justice has imposed a cap on hours and requires pre‑approval of estimates, further limiting access. Recent cases have highlighted the difficulty of finding psychiatrists, with some defence teams seeking experts abroad. The Department is reviewing fee arrangements, but no delays have yet been confirmed in the single case cited. The court remains concerned about the impact on trial schedules.
Lois West, a former deputy head of Garda Analytics, says she was sexually harassed and bullied by a senior officer at Garda Headquarters who claimed he had shot dead 27 people. West describes the officer as volatile and emotionally unstable, noting he would sit between her and her office door, speak for hours, and orchestrate one‑on‑one situations. She alleges he told stories of previous partners meeting "sticky ends" and left a bottle of alcohol and chocolates on her desk after an outburst. West says she complained to an assistant commissioner, who responded with a letter that she felt ignored her concerns and prioritized the officer. She claims the officer was later removed from the force. West is on long‑term sick leave and has filed complaints under the Protected Disclosures Act, Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act and Payment of Wages Act.
Paulo Ronchi, 39, a chef from Brazil, was found to have had a psychotic episode when he attacked his landlady, a fellow tenant and two Gardaí on the night of 21 August 2021. He assaulted the sleeping landlady, pulling out clumps of her hair and claiming she was the devil, then jumped from a second‑floor bedroom window onto the Gardaí below, injuring them and biting one. He also caused criminal damage to the bedroom, damaging furniture, a door and the walls. The landlady suffered bleeding from the assault and reported €800 in damage and loss of rental income, along with stress, depression and anxiety. Ronchi pleaded guilty to three counts of assault causing harm, one count of assault and one count of criminal damage. He was remanded on continuing bail and the case was adjourned to June 10 for a psychiatric report and a urine analysis to confirm he was not smoking weed.
Brendan Ogle, a Unite trade‑unionist, has lodged a complaint under the Employment Equality Act 1998 alleging that the union discriminated against him on disability grounds after his return to work in 2022 following a cancer diagnosis. He claims a colleague, Tom Fitzgerald, told him that Unite's general secretary Sharon Graham had directed that he be excluded from a new strategy for Ireland. Ogle says his line manager, Jackie Pollock, and HR manager Richard Griffiths were surprised by this claim, and that a meeting with Graham's deputy Gail Cartmail denied any such directive. The case was adjourned by the Workplace Relations Commission to April, with hearings held at Lansdowne House in Ballsbridge. The proceedings were attended by the public, and the adjudicator warned against recording the hearing. Ogle's evidence was presented by his counsel, Mark Harty SC, and the union's counsel, Mary‑Paula Guinness BL, engaged in heated exchanges during the hearing.
A former teacher at Templeogue College, Jennifer Clancy, has alleged that she was penalised after she and her colleagues raised concerns about student discipline and other issues at the school. She claims that the school environment had deteriorated significantly, with students feeling they had 'the run of the place' and teachers not feeling safe. Ms Clancy alleges that her employment contract was altered using Tipp-Ex to state she was on an annual contract rather than a permanent one. She also claims her timetable was changed in retaliation after she and ten other teachers signed a grievance document outlining 17 concerns about the school's management. Ms Clancy said she was subjected to a disciplinary meeting without being informed of the allegations against her. She further accused the principal, Niamh Quinn, of being aggressive and of making up a quote from a Department of Education circular to strengthen her case.
In the Central Criminal Court, a 28‑year‑old Offaly woman presented a victim impact statement after her brother, who pleaded guilty to rape, oral rape and sexual assault between 2004 and 2007, abused her from age 11 to 15. She described how the abuse occurred in the brother's bedroom, with the brother locking doors, using a pillow over her head or a hand over her mouth to silence her, and forcing her to watch pornography. She said the brother threatened to kill her and forced her to have sex with another boy during a holiday when she was 11. The woman said she had withdrawn her complaint after her brother's suicide attempt, then re‑filed it three years later. She reported ongoing mental‑health effects such as anxiety, nightmares, PTSD and feelings of worthlessness. Justice Mary Ellen Ring thanked her for the statement, called it "very impressive," and adjourned sentencing to March 8.
The High Court approved a Personal Insolvency Arrangement for 70‑year‑old widow Marian Phillips, allowing her to address about €2.4 million of debt while staying in her home at Kenley Close, Model Farm Road, Cork. Phillips had fallen into financial difficulty because of high interest rates on loans from lenders. Her creditors include Start Mortgages DAC (over €2 million owed), Cabot Financial, the Revenue Commissioners, a property management company and a solicitors' firm. Under the arrangement, four buy‑to‑let residential properties owned by Phillips – three in Cork and one in Clonmel, County Tipperary – valued at just over €1 million will be sold to satisfy secured creditors. The remaining debts will be written off. Phillips will also enter a State‑approved Mortgage‑to‑Rent/Social Tenancy scheme for her principal private residence, a semi‑detached three‑bedroom house valued at about €345,000.
Former 2FM presenter Chris Greene has agreed to withdraw all claims of whistleblower penalisation and unfair dismissal against RTÉ after a compromise was reached at the Workplace Relations Commission. The settlement, announced at the WRC hearing, means Greene will no longer pursue claims under the Unfair Dismissals Act 1977, the Protected Disclosures Act 2014 or the Payment of Wages Act 1991. The dispute centred on Greene's allegations of sexual harassment and workplace impropriety, which he said were protected disclosures that led to his marginalisation and dismissal. RTÉ contested Greene's status as an employee and argued he had no entitlement to employment‑rights claims. The WRC hearing, which had been delayed for over two hours, concluded with the parties agreeing to a written compromise and Greene withdrawing his complaints, including the protected disclosure element. The case had been scheduled for two days of hearing before adjudicator Breiffni O'Neill.
The 19‑year‑old accused of assaulting a male in a 2020 incident now seeks to halt his criminal trial in the High Court, arguing that the prosecution has been delayed by 43 months. He was 15 when the alleged altercation near a railway station occurred, and was arrested, fingerprinted and interviewed by Gardai shortly thereafter. Despite this, he was not charged until September 2023, when he was 18 and no longer protected by the Children's Act. He claims the Director of Public Prosecutions failed to secure an expeditious trial, and that the delay is "inexcusable" and "unexplained". Represented by James Dwyer SC and Sarah Connolly BL, he has brought judicial review proceedings to restrain further prosecution. Ms Justice Niamh Hyland granted permission to proceed on an ex‑parte basis, with the matter to be returned to a date next month.