In July 2024 the Workplace Relations Commission awarded a mental‑health worker €13,000 after a charity secretary's unsent email draft used the term "mad f***er" to describe him. The secretary claimed the phrase was affectionate, praising his commitment to a 24‑hour café‑centre project launched in 2019. The worker had received state funding for 2019‑2020, then continued developing the project in 2021 without pay. In December 2021 he agreed to partner with the charity, but in February 2022 a memorandum of understanding was signed without proper board registration. The HSE declared the MoU null in June 2022, and the centre never opened. The worker later emailed the charity in April 2022 that he was taking time off, citing "uniquely damaging knocks and bangs" from the project.
A High Court action was brought on behalf of a primary‑school‑aged boy with autism and a moderate intellectual disability, whose current school placement is deemed unsuitable. The boy has speech and language delay and requires significant adult assistance. A psychologist from the National Educational Psychological Service assessed him and recommended an Autism Spectrum Disorder‑specific school placement. The family has applied to twelve schools, all of which are full, and has sought help from the Department of Education. They claim this lack of access breaches the boy's rights to an adequate education under the Constitution, the 1998 Education Act and the 2004 Special Education Needs Act. The case, represented by Derek Shortall SC and Paul Gunning BL, seeks an order compelling the Minister for Education, the National Council for Special Education and the Attorney General to provide an appropriate placement within a court‑directed period, and a declaration that the respondents have failed in their duty.
In a High Court case, the Irish Music Rights Organisation Company Ltd (IMRO) had sought an injunction against Philip Meagher and Forestfest Limited, organisers of the Forest Fest music and arts festival in Co Laois, claiming that the organisers had failed to obtain a licence for certain musical works that IMRO said it owned the copyright to. IMRO alleged that several dozen of its members' works would be performed at the three‑day event from 19 to 21 July at Emo, Co Laois, and that without a licence the plaintiffs' rights would be breached. The injunction, which was expected to be opposed, was due to be heard next week, but on Thursday Mr Justice Mark Sanfey was told that the case had settled and could be struck out. The dispute was resolved before the hearing, and no injunction was granted.
The Supreme Court dismissed an appeal by the Concerned Residents of Treascon and Clondoolusk, who opposed An Bord Pleanala's October 2021 decision to grant planning permission for a solar energy facility operated by Elgin Energy Services Limited on a 90‑hectare site in Portarlington, Co. Offaly. The residents argued that the board's decision was invalid because it contravened EU directives on habitats and Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs). The Court found the substantive issues raised were misconceived or premature, noting that the removal of hedgerows did not trigger a full EIA for the entire project. Justice Brian Murray, joined by Justices Donal O'Donnell, Seamus Woulfe, Maurice Collins and Aileen Donnelly, upheld the board's decision. The High Court had previously rejected the residents' claims, and the Supreme Court's dismissal confirmed that the appeal was not supported by the necessary legal grounds. The case remains a judicial review against An Bord Pleanala and the Attorney General.
In a Workplace Relations Commission hearing, the Dublin‑based rental company Itzig Sarl was ordered to pay €2,032 in compensation to former showing agent Dunia Rojas. Rojas began work in October 2023, initially under the impression she would receive a salary, but was later told the role was commission‑only. She reported that she received no payment for the first two weeks, and subsequent payments were incorrect. Rojas documented her complaints with calls and WhatsApp chats, yet the company failed to respond to her queries and did not provide pay‑slips or a contract. Itzig Sarl did not attend the hearing, despite a prior notice. The adjudication officer, Jim Dolan, found Rojas' complaint well founded under the Terms of Employment (Information) Act 1994, citing a breach of Section 3, and directed the company to transfer the compensation within 42 days of the decision.
The High Court on 3 July 2024 appointed Tom Murray and Eoin Massey of Friel Stafford as joint provisional liquidators for Cube Logistics 3PL Limited, a freight logistics company employing over 30 people. The court found the company insolvent, unable to pay debts as they fall due, after a difficult 2023 trading year that saw losses of €610,000 despite a turnover of €5.38m. Cube had expanded by leasing two new warehouses, but new customers did not use them, and it lost key clients such as Hilti Ireland, Lloyd Fraser Holdings' UK parent, and PRL Ireland. The company owes €655,000 to Revenue for VAT, PAYE and PRSI and cannot meet a phased payment arrangement. It had attempted restructuring via SCARP and considered examinership, but the court deemed that option unviable. The liquidators will manage the company's affairs, including customer stock worth about €5m, and may continue trading, dismiss or retain staff.
An Irish Rail worker, fired after a conviction for moving drugs in a company van, was awarded almost €50,000 for unfair dismissal by the Workplace Relations Commission. The tribunal, led by adjudicating officer Michael McEntee, noted that the internal investigation had found the employee should not be dismissed, but Irish Rail management refused to accept those findings on safety grounds. The employee had been convicted in the District Court on two counts under the Misuse of Drugs Act, but had passed all employer drug tests and was not a user, according to McEntee. The tribunal awarded €40,000, roughly 44 weeks' pay, plus €7,200 for eight weeks' minimum notice, recognising the dismissal as unfair while acknowledging the safety concerns cited by the employer. The decision was described as a "Judgement of Solomon" after a period of reflection failed to resolve the dispute.
In a High Court case in Limerick, Westglade Unlimited Company and Timothy Carroll, who bought farmland at Ballycullane, Kilmallock, for €1m from a receiver appointed by Everyday Finance DAC, claim that former owners William and Anna Kennedy still occupy the land and keep horses there. The plaintiffs say the Kennedys refuse to give up vacant possession and have threatened them, saying the next person to unlock the gate will be shot. They also allege that the Kennedys blocked access with vehicles and posted a "No unauthorised person allowed" sign. The plaintiffs had previously offered a goodwill payment of about €275,000, but the Kennedys' actions have prevented any settlement. They seek injunctions to stop the Kennedys from occupying the land and to remove a lis pendens registered over the property. The case was heard by Mr Justice Mark Sanfey, who granted the plaintiffs permission to serve short notice of the proceedings and will hear the matter again next week.
Patricia Groarke, a van salesperson for Pat The Baker, claimed she was spoken to "like s***" and "treated like an animal" by a shop manager at a SuperValu on 11 November 2023. She said the manager laughed at her, called her "thick", and accused her of throwing produce, an allegation she denied and asked to be checked on camera. Groarke attempted to contact her line manager, who relayed the accusation and said she had resigned. She later wrote to HR about possibly returning to work, but the role had been filled. The Workplace Relations Commission found that the employer withdrew an offer to reconsider and dismissed her without investigation or fair procedure, ruling the dismissal unfair and awarding €3,500 in compensation. The decision confirmed Groarke's service period was sufficient for locus standi.
Kerry GAA has filed a High Court challenge against the Minister for Justice's refusal to include the sports body in the now-defunct Immigrant Investor Programme, arguing that the decision endangers more than €38 million in donations. The Gaelic games organisation contends that the refusal will jeopardise at least €27 million already committed to redeveloping FitzGerald Stadium in Killarney and an additional €11.6 million in new donations it has identified. Kerry GAA says it had submitted two parts of its development proposals—one for a Centre of Excellence and another for the stadium—before the scheme was scrapped in February 2023. The Minister's decision, made on 24 January, rejected the stadium application on the grounds that "no valid investor application was submitted" and that the investor must be new, not one already linked to another project.
In a long‑running case that began in 2017, the Commercial Court resolved a claim of unjust enrichment brought by the Abu‑Dhabi‑based engineering firm Hogan Keoghan Ryan Middle East Architects Engineering LLC (HKRME) against businessman Barry English, founder of Winthrop Engineering. After out‑of‑court negotiations, English agreed to pay €1.25 million from a trust to HKRME's solicitors, to be used for employees and creditors of the firm. The court, presided over by Mr Justice Denis McDonald, accepted the settlement and struck out two other related actions. English, represented by Bernard Dunleavy SC, had denied the claims, but consented to the order. The settlement was welcomed by the judge, who praised the parties for reaching an agreement. The case had involved earlier disputes over a caretaker arrangement for shares and a claim for US$8 million, which had been dismissed in 2019.
David Moore, founder of Astronomy Ireland, is accused by former manager Sonya Martin of pocketing speaking‑engagement fees that were meant to be the society's main revenue stream. Martin, who worked as an administrator and later manager from 2021 to 2022, resigned after a heated meeting in which Moore told her the club had no board and that her grant applications were fraudulent. She claims she was forced to cover two jobs, faced micromanagement, and was told not to report a website hack. Martin alleges financial irregularities, that Moore kept money for himself, and that the organisation's legal status is unclear as an unincorporated society without trustees. The Workplace Relations Commission will consider whether all members are answerable for her complaints, with a hearing likely rescheduled for September.
Eddie Rockets (Ireland) Limited and Rockets Franchising DAC have secured a temporary injunction from the High Court restraining the alleged unauthorised transfer of two restaurant franchises. The proceedings concern franchises at Charlestown Shopping Centre in Finglas and at Clarehall in North Dublin, which the plaintiffs claim were transferred in breach of sale and franchise agreements. The defendants include Ziggy Investments Limited, which held the franchises since 2020, shareholders Lisa Marie Deegan and Jacinta Deegan, and businessman Brian Dunne, a former Eddie Rockets franchise holder alleged to have acquired Ziggy Investments. The court heard that Eddie Rockets had agreements in place to purchase the franchises, but learned this month that Ziggy Investments had been sold. Mr Justice David Nolan granted the temporary injunction on an ex-parte basis, restraining the defendants from breaching the franchise agreements and preventing Mr Dunne from interfering with the plaintiff's intellectual property. The matter returns to court later in the week.
In a High Court contempt case, Mr Noel Martin Senior was found to have deliberately and flagrantly breached a court order that barred him from contacting Alan O'Neill and June Finnegan over a disputed garage. The judge, Mr Justice David Nolan, noted that Martin had sent threatening WhatsApp messages after the injunction, accusing the couple of keeping dangerous animals and threatening to report them to authorities. Martin apologized, claimed a mistake, and agreed not to contact the plaintiffs again. The judge warned that any further intimidation could lead to imprisonment and ordered Martin to pay the plaintiffs' legal costs. The case, which also involves a claim for damages over the garage's ownership, remains pending, with the judge adjourned the matter to October to monitor Martin's conduct. The judge emphasised that Martin's behaviour was personal, vindictive and designed to cause maximum pain to the plaintiffs.
The High Court has dismissed an application by Michelle Keane seeking an injunction to prevent the Dáil from voting on the implementation of the EU Migration and Asylum Pact. Mr Justice David Nolan found the bid was bound to fail as granting such an order would breach the separation of powers between the courts, the Oireachtas, and the government. The judge noted that Keane, who represented herself, alleged the pact was unconstitutional and would override Irish sovereignty, claiming it would force Ireland to accept 30,000 asylum seekers. He described her concerns regarding crime and safety as offensive and unsupported by evidence, noting her submissions were based on hearsay. The court also heard that a similar action by barrister Una McGurk had been deemed not properly issued and could not be dealt with. The judge held that the adoption of the pact was permitted under Article 28.4.7 of the Constitution, which was approved in the 2009 Lisbon Treaty vote. Consequently, the application was dismissed, and costs were awarded to the defendants, the Irish Government and Attorney General Rossa Fanning SC. Keane stated she intends to appeal the decision. The Dáil vote on the pact was scheduled for Tuesday evening, following the Seanad's prior approval.
A teacher at Kilmacrennan National School in Co Donegal is pursuing a discrimination claim before the Workplace Relations Commission, alleging she faced religious-based comments during her employment. The complainant has stated she was subjected to derogatory references relating to her marriage to a Protestant man, including being called by her husband's surname years after ceasing professional use of it, and being told she would be better suited working at a neighbouring Church of Ireland school. She claims she was not reappointed for the 2022-2023 academic year despite a male colleague receiving reappointment without interview, while she competed in an open competition. The school denies discrimination, contending both posts were filled through open competition. The case, heard at Letterkenny Courthouse, resumed following an adjournment of nearly twelve months. In cross-examination, the school's counsel challenged the complainant's account of events and suggested she had created a discrimination narrative after being dissatisfied with the reappointment decision. The tribunal is scheduled to resume in October for further hearing.
Former Sinn Fein County Councillor Toiréasa Ni Fhearaiosa has brought a High Court challenge against the Minister for Education and an appeal committee regarding the refusal of incremental salary credits. Dr Ni Fhearaiosa, a full-time law teacher at Kerry Education and Training Board, applied under a scheme recognizing past employment for credits related to roles including an accounts assistant, a legal intern, a Sinn Fein advice clinic manager, and her tenure as an elected member of Kerry County Council. The initial application was refused on grounds that some roles were unpaid or not under full-time contracts, while no reference was made to her time at a US law firm that no longer exists. An appeal committee upheld the refusal in March 2024, deeming its decision final. Dr Ni Fhearaiosa claims the committee's decision was flawed, irrational, and breached fair procedures, arguing it failed to provide adequate reasons and properly consider her submissions. She further contends the scheme is unlawful for excluding public office periods and employment with deceased or defunct entities. Kerry Education and Training Board is a notice party to the proceedings. Represented by Mark Harty SC and James Kane BL, the applicant seeks orders quashing the decision and declaring parts of the scheme unlawful. The matter came before Ms Justice Niamh Hyland, who granted permission to bring the challenge on an ex-parte basis. The case was adjourned and will return before the court in July.
A Defence Forces Tribunal, opened by Ms Justice Ann Power on 24 June 2024, is investigating how the Defence Forces handle abuse claims, including sexual assault, torture, bullying and harassment. The tribunal invites members, civilians and civil servants to submit written statements by 16 August. It will gather statements, assess evidence, notify affected parties, and hold oral hearings where witnesses may be cross‑examined. The tribunal is inquisitorial, not adversarial, and will not make findings of fact or criminality. It aims to establish the truth about the complaints process and the culture surrounding complaints, and will report to the Taoiseach within three years. The tribunal also examines the forces' response to hazardous chemical use at Casement Aerodrome. Submissions can be emailed, called or mailed to the tribunal's address.
An application by barrister Una McGurk SC to obtain a High Court injunction that would delay any vote in the Dáil or Seanad on measures from the EU migration pact was found not properly issued. Judge David Nolan ruled that the motion was not correctly before the court, so it could not be considered on Friday. The court said the action must be re‑issued in the normal way and will be scheduled for a future hearing, unlikely to be before the court in the short term. The petition sought orders to postpone any vote until a referendum could decide the constitutionality of ceding sovereignty. The defendants – the clerks of the Dáil and Seanad, the Minister for Justice and the Attorney General – argued the action was non‑justiciable and lacked substance, noting that a vote on the measures had already taken place.
The High Court dismissed separate challenges by Reddit and Tumblr against An Coimisiún na Meán's decision to list them as video‑sharing platforms under the new online safety code. Justice Siobhan Phelan refused to set aside the decision and rejected all arguments. Reddit, a U.S. company, claimed it did not meet the definition of a video‑sharing platform under the EU Audio Visual and Media Services directive and argued it was outside Irish jurisdiction. The court found no ambiguity in the regulator's interpretation and that sufficient material supported the designation. Tumblr argued its video content was minor and that the regulator had misinterpreted data on video volume. The judge held that the regulator properly applied the directive's criteria and that no error had been made in designating Tumblr as a video‑sharing platform. Both applications to refer the matter to the EU Court of Justice were dismissed.
In a case before the Workplace Relations Commission, telehandler driver Mark John Power was awarded €5,000 for an unfair dismissal by BPH Construction Limited (Blueprint Homes). Power denied ever smoking cannabis on site, a claim made by a supervisor who alleged a smell of cannabis in the cab of a machine he operated and that a bag of cannabis was found in the vehicle on a separate occasion. Power said no such allegations were ever presented to him before his dismissal on 8 September. He argued that other factors, including complaints of verbal abuse and heavy drinking by colleagues, contributed to his termination. The employer admitted it dismissed him without investigation or procedures, though it paid all outstanding wages. The adjudicator found the dismissal unreasonable and ordered the compensatory sum, reflecting about six weeks' wages. The decision was based solely on the evidence presented in the complaint.
The High Court has been asked by barrister Una McGurk SC to issue orders that would stop the Dáil and Seanad from voting on parts of the EU migration and asylum pact until a referendum is held. The application was presented to Mr Justice David Nolan on Wednesday. The pact includes measures such as enhanced screening, faster asylum processing, efficient returns for unsuccessful applicants, and a mechanism for financial contributions or relocation of asylum seekers. Ms McGurk seeks injunctions that would delay any vote in either house of the Oireachtas until a referendum determines the constitutionality of any ceding of sovereignty. The judge noted that the application had not been notified to the defendants in advance and said he would not make orders without hearing from the other sides. He was prepared, on an ex‑parte basis, to allow the applicant to serve short notice of the proceedings on the defendants.
Tom Clayton, Group Corporate Finance Executive of Novum Overseas Limited, has filed a High Court action alleging that his employer is conducting a "sham redundancy" to remove him from the firm. Clayton, who previously served as CFO of Forfas, began his €135,000‑per‑year role with Novum last year. He claims that weeks ago the company informed him, without explanation, that he was being temporarily laid off for six to eight weeks and instructed him to apply for Job Seekers Allowance. Clayton says the lay‑off has left him without salary, in financial distress, and has damaged his reputation. He also alleges that his role was downgraded after he accepted the position, constituting a fundamental rollback of his employment terms. Clayton seeks orders to end the lay‑off, restore his paid employment, compel the employer to pay all contractual entitlements, and prevent any extension of the lay‑off period.
Tech firm Wix admitted it had unfairly dismissed Irish worker Courtney Carey after she posted on social media criticising Israel. Carey, a former manager, says she lost her apartment and has only found lower‑paid temporary work since her dismissal in October. She claims Wix treated her as a supporter of terrorism, citing tweets and LinkedIn posts that she says were false. Her claim under the Unfair Dismissals Act 1977 was brought before the Workplace Relations Commission. Wix's lawyer conceded procedural unfairness and said the case would now focus on compensation. Carey's barrister noted her gross pay fell from €40,000 to €25,567 after months of unemployment. The tribunal heard that she applied for about 60 jobs, was denied many, and now works as an An Post clerk on a temporary contract. The hearing concluded with the adjudicator saying she would issue a decision in due course.
A couple who have fostered children have taken the High Court to challenge a notification by the Child and Family Agency (CFA) that they may pose a risk to children and vulnerable persons. After a foster placement ended last year, the CFA informed the couple that it was starting the first stage of its Child Abuse Substantiation Procedure, which involves assessing whether allegations against them have been substantiated. The couple were also told that the CFA had notified the Garda Vetting Bureau of the allegations, including child abuse. The couple deny any wrongdoing and claim they were not given details of the allegations. Their lawyers question the CFA's authority to notify the Vetting Bureau before the first stage of the procedure is complete. The CFA says it acted on bona fide concerns and its legal obligation under national vetting laws, but the couple argue that the notification is unlawful, invalid and outside statutory authority.
Matthew Butterly, a former training manager with over twenty years in the Airport Police and Fire Service, filed a statutory complaint under the Protected Disclosures Act 2014 alleging he was penalised after reporting that Airport Police were misusing emergency protocols to bypass security screenings. A Workplace Relations Commission adjudicator ruled that aspects of his complaint were out of time, leading Butterly to withdraw the claim. The DAA denied all allegations of penalisation, stating that the three acts alleged were statute‑barred and that the remaining two involved later complaints and an investigation meeting over internal messaging posts. Butterly had sought an un‑redacted investigation report and a pay review, both of which the DAA said were not granted. The unfair dismissal complaint remains pending, while the protected disclosures complaint has been withdrawn.
In a High Court hearing on 14 June 2024, Mr Justice Mark Sanfey granted a woman orders to compel her brother to return their elderly mother to the nursing home where she had been resident for several weeks. The woman, who holds formal power of attorney, alleged that her brother had removed the mother from the facility using force, attempted to change the locks on the family home, and made unexplained withdrawals from the mother's bank accounts and used her credit card. She also claimed that the brother was trying to gain access to the mother's finances and home. The judge ordered the brother to return the mother to the nursing home, restrain him from removing her from any facility, and prevent interference with her ongoing care and medical treatment. The orders were granted ex‑parte and remain in force pending further court action. The parties are not identified for legal reasons.
Kenneth Walsh, a visually‑impaired man, was denied boarding a Bus Éireann coach with his guide dog on 26 June 2023, forcing him to take a taxi to a medical appointment. The driver, who had mistaken the coach for a double‑decker, claimed no space for the dog and told Walsh that it was not his problem. Walsh's bus was almost empty, and he had to leave the vehicle after the driver refused to accommodate him. The taxi lacked card facilities, so Walsh had to withdraw cash from an ATM, giving his PIN to the driver, which he described as extremely stressful. The Workplace Relations Commission found the driver's conduct unreasonable and discriminatory. Bus Éireann apologized, offered reimbursement, and the tribunal awarded Walsh €4,000 in compensation for the distress and inconvenience caused.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Sean Dunne, 26, pleaded guilty to two counts of assault causing harm after attacking a couple of American tourists in their sixties in the elevator of the Ashling Hotel on 7 April 2023. Dunne repeatedly punched the woman, threatened her with rape and murder, and struck her husband, causing bloodshed in the elevator. Garda Stephen Lawlor, on mobile patrol, responded to a call after 9 pm, found Dunne restrained on the corridor floor, and noted blood on the carpet. The couple received on‑scene treatment but did not require hospital care. Dunne, who has ten prior convictions and was diagnosed with schizophrenia in 2020, denied the assault. He has been in custody since April 2023, is on medication, and has shown improved mental health. Ms Justice Sarah Berkeley ordered a probation report and adjourned the matter until October 2024.
Adrian Taranu, a chauffeur for the Indian Embassy, claimed he was denied full holiday entitlements and forced to work 12‑14‑hour shifts. He alleged that he frequently worked longer hours than his contract allowed and was denied a full 11‑hour rest break between shifts. Taranu provided six examples of his working patterns in October and November 2022, including a 12‑hour shift ending at 11 pm on 17 October and a 12‑hour shift ending at 10 pm on 16 November. He also claimed that the Embassy calculated his annual leave at 21 days instead of the statutory four working weeks and that he was only given Indian public holidays. The Embassy declined to attend the WRC hearing and claimed diplomatic immunity under the Vienna Convention.
IMRO, the Irish body that administers performing‑rights copyright, has filed High Court proceedings to obtain an injunction against the organisers of the 'Forest Fest' music and arts festival in County Laois. The organisers, Philip Meagher and Forestfest Limited, are alleged to have failed to secure a licence for a number of musical works that IMRO claims it holds copyright to on behalf of its members. The festival, scheduled for 19‑21 July at Emo, will feature acts such as Ash, The Undertones, The Divine Comedy, EMF, The Cult, The Human League, Something Happens, The Stunning, Stereo MCs, Paul Brady and Tony Hadley. IMRO says that several dozen of its copyrighted works will be performed and that the organisers owe €193,000 in royalties for 2022, 2023 and the pending 2024 events.
An application will be made to refer the bulk of a dispute between DLR Properties Ltd and the Johnny Ronan group to out‑of‑court arbitration. DLR has sued RGRE Devco 4 Ltd and Ronan Group Real Estate Ltd for breach of a 2019 development agreement over a 1.3‑acre site in Cherrywood, Loughlinstown, where the parties agreed that RGRE 4 would build a €35m office building. DLR seeks declarations that the agreement was validly terminated, damages, and an injunction to remove statements from the Ronan Group website that imply the defendants hold any title or interest in the site. The defendants deny the claims, calling them "completely unnecessary" and "unrealistic." The defamation claim will remain before the High Court, while the majority of the issues will be referred to arbitration, with former Chief Justice Frank Clarke proposed as arbitrator.
Contempt of court proceedings against Gemma O'Doherty in the High Court have been adjourned to July following a request for time to address allegations concerning third party funding of the plaintiff's case. Ms O'Doherty has claimed that champerty and maintenance laws have been breached, citing a fundraiser allegedly organised for Edel Campbell of Kingscourt, County Cavan, which she says raised over €24,000, with many donors remaining anonymous. Ms Campbell's legal team denies any wrongdoing and rejects the allegations. The case arises from Ms Campbell's claim that Ms O'Doherty, trading as "The Irish Light", used an unauthorised image of her late son Diego Gilsenan in an article. An injunction was previously secured restraining Ms O'Doherty from harassing Ms Campbell. The defendant denies breaching that order and rejects all allegations against her. Mr Justice Mark Sanfey directed both parties to exchange further sworn statements before the matter returns to court.
In a Workplace Relations Commission hearing, former Iceland employee Jeanette Joyce alleged that Naeem Maniar, the owner of Iceland's Irish stores, threatened her with a lawsuit targeting her personal property if she and her colleagues went on strike. Joyce said she received late‑night texts accusing her trade union of "playing dirty" and spreading "false news and propaganda." She claimed she was a shop steward for the Independent Workers' Union and that she had been harassed and bullied by Maniar, including being served legal papers for "unlawful industrial action." Joyce also reported wage withholding after the strike, delayed payment of €265.45 net wages, and hostile payroll emails. She filed a grievance for harassment and bullying, but no action was taken before the store entered liquidation. The case is pending adjudication by the WRC.
A US multinational software company, Digital River Ireland Ltd, was ordered by the Workplace Relations Commission to pay €168,682.09 to Kevin Foley, a former senior director of sales for the Europe, Middle East and Asia region. Foley claimed his dismissal on 19 October 2022 was the result of a sham redundancy process that did not involve the required Irish employment law checks. He argued that the company's US-based line manager, who later assumed his responsibilities, had benefited from the decision. The WRC found that the company's appeal procedure was flawed, lacking an oral hearing and failing to allow Foley to be accompanied. The commission upheld Foley's unfair dismissal claim and awarded the monetary sum, citing the company's procedural breaches and Foley's successful job search within eight months of redundancy.
Several High Court challenges have been filed by organisations that claim their applications for the now-defunct Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) were wrongly rejected by the Minister for Justice. The IIP, abolished in 2023, had allowed non‑EU nationals to invest large sums in Irish projects in exchange for residency visas. The applicants, who submitted their applications before the programme's discontinuation, were not included in the scheme. On Monday, lawyers for 'The Church on the Main Street CLG' and Naas Rugby Football Club presented separate judicial review actions. The church had secured an investor to purchase and renovate the Dara Cinema, now a food bank and drop‑in centre, while the rugby club had an investor to upgrade facilities and build a new pitch. Both investors were prepared to commit at least €400,000 as philanthropic donations to endowment projects benefiting arts, sports or education.
In a Workplace Relations Commission hearing, Ms A, a shop manager who had worked for the convenience store for over a decade, won €40,000 after she reported that her employer was paying part of her wages "under the counter" from a separate account. Ms A had been promoted to manager in 2016 and was responsible for rostering, payroll and ordering stock. In 2023 the company transferred a new manager, Ms E, and Ms A's managerial duties were stripped, her hours were altered, and she was threatened with "consequences" when she returned the cash wages to the Revenue Commissioners as instructed. The tribunal found the employer had retaliated against Ms A for making a protected disclosure, breached the Protected Disclosures Act 2014, the Terms of Employment (Information) Act and the Payment of Wages Act 1991, and awarded her €40,000 in compensation and additional sums for payroll errors. The decision was made in the employer's absence.
A school secretary, Cathy Guirke, who worked at Drumbaragh National School for over a decade, has been awarded €8,000 in compensation for unfair dismissal after being given no time to say goodbye to colleagues on her final day. The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) found that the school demonstrated a lack of respect by failing to engage in a meaningful consultation process regarding her redundancy. The tribunal ordered the school's Board of Management to pay Ms Guirke €8,000 under the Unfair Dismissals Act 1977, along with additional sums for other employment law breaches. Ms Guirke was informed of the redundancy just six minutes before the end of her working day, with no opportunity to prepare or say goodbye to colleagues. The WRC adjudicator, Marie Flynn, noted that while there was a genuine redundancy situation, the school did not act reasonably by failing to provide details on potential pay or hour cuts.
In a High Court decision on 6 June 2024, Mr Justice Micheal P O'Higgins reduced a two‑month suspension imposed on veterinary surgeon William McCartney to one month, finding the original sanction "unduly severe." The case arose after McCartney, owner of North Dublin Animal Hospital, operated on the left hind leg of a golden retriever named Alfie instead of the right leg as originally planned. He failed to inform the owner, who had come with her children, of the change and did not arrange a colleague to meet her or telephone her to explain the decision. The owner, believing the wrong leg had been operated on, was traumatised and later sought a second opinion. McCartney offered a goodwill gesture of no charge for the right‑leg surgery, which the owner declined. He had accepted responsibility for mistakes but denied professional misconduct.
A Workplace Relations Commission adjudicator has recommended that the Health Service Executive (HSE) pay a civil registrar a €1,000 Pandemic Special Recognition Payment. The applicant, identified as Hse Hr, alleged her application was unfairly declined despite performing identical duties to colleagues in other geographic areas who received the award. The HSE admitted that staff in other regions doing the same work were granted the payment but argued that its HR managers followed guidance documentation, viewing the Civil Registration Office as not a Covid-19 exposed clinical setting due to controls in place. The applicant stated she worked on-site without personal protective equipment or early vaccine access, conducting high-risk services such as marriage ceremonies. The adjudicator noted that the HSE representatives accepted the applicant was properly included in the first vaccination cohort and that the work could not be distinguished from that of paid colleagues. Citing natural and constitutional justice, the adjudicator found that employees in the same grouping should be treated uniformly. The HSE was ordered to pay the €1,000 ex-gratia sum within 42 days. The decision was issued under the Industrial Relations Act 1969, with the HSE identified as the respondent due to the specific nature of the dispute.
Two West of Ireland doctors, Dr Eva Flynn and Dr Sean Mullin, resolved a High Court dispute after their partnership dissolved. The dispute centred on a temporary order issued in April 2024 that restrained Dr Mullin from preventing Dr Flynn from accessing the Moycullen Health Centre premises and from stopping her from treating patients there. Dr Mullin denied wrongdoing. The case was adjourned to allow out‑of‑court mediation. When the matter returned to the High Court, counsel for Dr Mullin informed the judge that the parties had reached a settlement through mediation. The proceedings were adjourned to October to implement the confidential settlement terms, after which the case could be struck out. No further details of the agreement were disclosed. The judge welcomed the resolution and the parties' decision to settle outside court.
The High Court appointed Dessie Morrow and Diarmuid Guthrie of Azets as provisional liquidators for Passage Healthcare International (Ireland) Limited, the operator of Lucan Lodge and Sally Park nursing homes. The judge confirmed the company was insolvent and unable to meet its debts. The firm's difficulties were largely attributed to the Covid‑19 pandemic, which lowered occupancy and raised costs. Passage had entered examinership hoping to secure a rescue plan, but the examiner failed to obtain the necessary investment, leading to the collapse of that process. Lucan Lodge is now run by the HSE, which is paying 92 staff members while arranging alternative care for residents. Sally Park ceased operations in February after HIQA raised fire‑safety concerns; the facility's registration was cancelled and over 40 employees were made redundant. The company's board resolved to wind up, and the liquidators will manage assets, creditors, and lease issues, with the HSE and Revenue supporting the appointment.
Broadcaster Paul Byrne settled his High Court action against Virgin Media Television after mediation. The case, which involved Byrne's claim that Virgin Media's internal disciplinary proceedings were flawed, was struck out by the court. Byrne, who had been suspended following a February 9 report about a boy's death in County Waterford, alleged that the investigation's claim he had verified was false and that the disciplinary process could lead to dismissal for alleged gross misconduct. He denied wrongdoing, said the process was punitive and breached his contractual rights, and sought orders to lift his suspension and prevent replacement. Virgin Media rejected his claims, stating the alleged breach was "serious in nature" and that steps were needed to avoid a repeat. The settlement terms remain confidential. Mr Justice Mark Sanfey welcomed the resolution. Mr Byrne was not present at the hearing.
In a statement released on 31 May 2024, Detective Chief Superintendent Colm Noonan of the Garda National Protective Services Bureau praised the bravery of victims and witnesses who came forward in a sexual‑crime case that led to the imprisonment of Judge Gerard O'Brien. Noonan highlighted the importance of breaking the silence surrounding sexual crime and the lasting impact such offences have on victims and their families. He thanked the investigative team, the Garda National Protective Services Bureau, the Director of Public Prosecutions, prosecution counsel and victim support groups for their roles in the case. Noonan underscored that the outcome sends a clear message that no one is above the law and that the Gardaí will listen to and support anyone who has experienced sexual crime. The statement was issued to encourage further reporting and to affirm the Gardaí's commitment to justice for victims.
Donal O'Meacair, former managing director of Zero One Hair Salon, was awarded €86,000 for unfair dismissal after the company's representatives withdrew from a Workplace Relations Commission hearing and declined to contest the case. The tribunal found that the dismissal, effected by the owner's mother while the owner was on extended sick leave, was unlawful under the Unfair Dismissals Act 1977, the Payment of Wages Act 1991, the Minimum Notice and Terms of Employment Act 1973, and the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997. O'Meacair had earned €1,000 a week at dismissal in April 2022 and had not received salary for a month. He also claimed unpaid wages, notice pay, and pay in lieu for 15 days of untaken annual leave. The adjudicator awarded €78,000 for unfair dismissal and €8,000 for unpaid wages, notice, and leave pay, totaling €86,000.
The High Court has ordered the arrest of Glen Oglesby for alleged contempt of court following his refusal to vacate an ESB substation in Dublin city centre. Mr Justice Mark Sanfey granted the order after the ESB, represented by John Punch SC, alleged that Oglesby had failed to comply with earlier orders to remove his caravan from the Gloucester Place Upper site. The ESB claims the property is unsafe for habitation, while Oglesby disputes this, stating he has nowhere else to go. Although Oglesby previously promised the court he would leave and arrange for the removal of his possessions, he allegedly placed a lock on the site gate, preventing ESB access. The judge found Oglesby in contempt of court and directed the Gardaí to arrest him, while expressing hope that the matter could be resolved without committal to prison. Separately, the ESB has brought trespass proceedings against Paul Oglesby, Glen's brother. However, Glen Oglesby told the court that Paul does not reside on the site, and the plaintiff did not seek an order for Paul's attachment. The case was heard at the hearing_or_decision stage.
The High Court dismissed a secondary school student's claim that the Leaving Certificate Mandarin Chinese marking scheme discriminates against those who use traditional Chinese characters. The student, a Taiwanese-born learner taught in traditional characters, alleged that exam markers would refuse to accept traditional characters and that the curriculum required simplified characters, thereby disadvantaging him. He also claimed the Minister for Education had unlawfully consulted with the Chinese Ministry of Education and that the Chinese Embassy was drawing up the curriculum. The court, presided over by Mr Justice Garrett Simons, rejected all allegations, stating the student failed to show the marking scheme breached the 1998 Education Act. The judge noted that traditional characters are not deemed incorrect, that the marking scheme allocates only 15‑20% of marks to written Mandarin, and that all candidates are assessed objectively against the same syllabus and marking scheme. The respondents denied any flaw or discrimination in the examination.
A Workplace Relations Commission adjudicator ruled that an employer breached the Sick Leave Act by disciplining a worker for absenteeism that included certified sick leave. The applicant, identified as Mr F, was a customer service advisor earning €12.70 per hour. He received a written warning in November 2023 following an absence on 12 October 2023, which he claimed was due to flu-like symptoms and supported by a doctor's note. The employer, a service provider to the financial services sector, argued the warning was justified by a history of unplanned absences and denied breaching the Act. Adjudicator Emer O'Shea found that the disciplinary action was linked to the claimant's absence on statutory sick leave, constituting a breach of the legislation. However, she found no evidence of penalisation as alleged. The adjudicator awarded Mr F €1,428.75, equivalent to three weeks' pay, for the breach. This is only the second time an employer has been found to have violated the Sick Leave Act since it came into effect in early 2023. The decision was anonymised due to a parallel Industrial Relations Act complaint heard behind closed doors. Separately, Minister of State Emer Higgins stated that further expansion of the sick leave scheme in 2025 is subject to economic assessment, citing business concerns over labour regulation costs.
The Workplace Relations Commission ruled it had no authority to decide a discrimination claim lodged by Emily Brady, a hearing‑impaired patron, against the Dublin restaurant 777 on George's Street. Brady alleged that the venue's sound system was "obscenely loud" and that staff refused to lower the volume when she requested it, claiming the music was part of the restaurant's vibe. She filed a complaint under the Equal Status Act 2000, stating she could not converse with friends and had to hand over orders. The restaurant's management, represented by JFR Ltd., denied the allegations, asserting the sound system automatically adjusted to the premises' busyness and would not interfere with conversation. The manager, Pepé Rodriguez, and waitress Christine Noguera denied that Brady had disclosed her disability, contrary to Brady's testimony. The adjudicator, David James Murphy, noted that the Equal Status Act's jurisdiction does not extend to licensed premises, and therefore the WRC could not rule on the matter.
Enterprise, a vehicle‑rental group, was ordered by the Workplace Relations Commission to pay €10,000 to Bernadette Ryan after she claimed gender discrimination. Ryan, who had been promoted to assistant depot manager at ERAC Ireland Ltd (trading as Enterprise Flex‑E‑Rent), was told her salary would be €39,000‑€40,000. She later learned that the actual increase was only 10 %, bringing her pay to just over €34,000, and that her working hours would rise from 28 to 40 per week. Ryan had previously earned €31,000 part‑time. She felt humiliated and forced to return to her old role. The tribunal found that Ryan and two male comparators performed similar work, but the pay difference was not justified except for gender. Enterprise's defence that the comparators had more responsibility was rejected. The adjudicator ordered the company to compensate Ryan €10,000 for the discrimination she experienced.