A tribunal is to decide whether two boat captains, Peter Cullen and Roy Jackson, have the protection of employment law after they challenged their alleged dismissals from the State's national sea floor mapping project. The captains are pursuing rights claims against Dún Laoghaire Powerboat School Ltd, which holds a staff supply contract with the Geological Survey of Ireland (GSI) for the INFOMAR project. The company denies that the captains have standing to pursue their claims, arguing they were never engaged as employees. The tribunal heard that the company had contractual agreements with the captains as sole traders or as a company and that they were paid in line with these contracts. The captains' representatives argued that the contracts were 'bogus' and that the men were effectively working directly for GSI. The tribunal will determine whether the men are employees of the company, which is crucial for their legal claims. The adjudication officer adjourned the matter and will review the documents before making a determination on the men's status as employees.
The High Court has approved a €2.68 million interim settlement for Jeremiah Daly, a 22-year-old man requiring full-time care following birth difficulties in 2003. Jeremiah Daly, acting through his mother, Edwina Daly, of Clogher Drive, Lixnaw, Co Kerry, had sued the HSE alleging mismanagement of his birth at Kerry General Hospital between March 22 and March 24, 2003. The plaintiffs claimed severe and prolonged foetal distress, unacceptable delays in delivery, and a failure to stop administering oxytocin. The HSE denied these allegations, contending that the obstetric care was reasonable and that cardiotocography tracings gave no cause for concern. Previous settlements included a €1.75 million payment in 2015 and a €1 million payment in 2021 for future care. At today's hearing, John Lucey SC informed Mr Justice Paul Coffey that a further €2.68 million interim settlement was agreed for Mr Daly's care over the next ten years. Mr Justice Coffey approved the settlement, commended Edwina Daly for her care, and wished the family well. The matter was adjourned to December 12, 2035.
A man drove through crash barriers seconds before a train was due to cross the junction during a high-speed garda pursuit, a court has heard. Jeffrey Carter (33) drove a car with four passengers at speed through red lights, in the wrong direction in bus lanes and against other car drivers. After failing to stop for an unmarked garda patrol car, Carter rammed the car and then took off at high speed. During the chase around the Sutton and Darndale area of the capital, Carter swerved the car to ram another garda patrol car. During the "escapade" on May 18, 2024, Carter rammed this car three times, a garda witness told the court. Carter drove at speed through Sutton Cross where two foot patrol gardai were carrying out a checkpoint. One of these had to take evasive action to avoid being hit. Carter, who was banned from driving at the time, drove the Renault Laguna car at speed into the crash barriers approaching Sutton DART station. Jeffrey Carter pleaded guilty.
Declan McCabe, an Aer Lingus pilot, is contesting statutory complaints brought by the airline under the Protected Disclosures Act 2014, the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, and the Payment of Wages Act 1997 at the Workplace Relations Commission. The tribunal heard that Mr McCabe was demoted from command responsibility following a disciplinary finding that he failed to file a timely air safety report regarding an incident on 8 June 2023. On that date, the aircraft he was flying in command from Munich initially failed to pick up a radio navigation beacon at Dublin Airport, though it landed safely after he adjusted its heading. Mr McCabe described the incident as a "non-event" and alleged his demotion was penalisation linked to a 2011 dispute where he reported fatigue. He stated the process was "humiliating" and claimed he filed the report within half an hour of being directed to do so, noting he had delayed due to fear of retribution. Aer Lingus's barrister argued Mr McCabe did not accept his errors. Adjudication officer John Harraghy adjourned proceedings, with hearings set to continue next week, starting with cross-examination of the complainant.
A tribunal has upheld the dismissal of Bernard McMahon, a scrapyard manager, who was accused of using the c-word in a workplace incident involving a junior female employee. McMahon denied calling the employee the c-word, claiming he only spelled it out as a form of banter. The incident, which occurred in December 2023, was reported by the employee, who gave evidence under the pseudonym 'Ms A'. She stated that McMahon asked her if she knew the term used to describe her when she first joined the company and then spelled it out, prompting laughter from those present. McMahon argued that the employee initiated the banter and that there was no indication of distress. However, the tribunal found that McMahon failed to adequately address his employer's concerns during the disciplinary process. The adjudicator noted that McMahon's focus on procedural arguments and quibbling over the exact phrasing of the alleged remark was detrimental to his case.
Carla Gahan, an office worker at Pobal since 2014, won a second equality claim against her employer for disability discrimination after her bosses ignored medical advice and refused to allow her part‑time return to work following long Covid. The Workplace Relations Commission found that Pobal's occupational health adviser had repeatedly stated Gahan was fit for reduced hours, yet the employer insisted on a full‑time return until July 2023. In 2024, adjudication officer Jim Dolan ruled that Pobal had breached the Employment Equality Act by not accommodating Gahan, awarding her €30,000 in full and final settlement. This added to a prior €10,638.84 compensation, bringing the total awarded to €40,638.84. The case highlights the employer's failure to follow medical recommendations and the tribunal's enforcement of equality protections.
A judge in the Central Criminal Court emphasized the need for more conversations about consent on social media, stating that the days of justifying sexual misconduct by claiming the victim did not fight back have passed. The judge, Ms Justice Mary-Ellen Ring, imposed a three-year sentence on a 21-year-old man for oral rape, attempted rape, and sexual assault committed when he was 17. The victim, who was also 17 at the time, described the incident as occurring in a poorly lit corner of a skatepark. The judge noted the lack of understanding of consent and the impact of the crime on both the victim and the offender. The victim's victim impact statement highlighted the trauma and delays in the legal process. The judge reduced the sentence from six years to three, considering the defendant's youth and lack of prior convictions. The case underscores the importance of consent and the need for better education on the topic.
A plasterer has been awarded nearly €17,000 in compensation after his employer, Kenplast Ltd, was found to have breached construction industry pay rules. The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) ruled that the company had failed to comply with the Industrial Relations (Amendment) Act 2015 and the Terms of Employment (Information) Act 1994. Joseph Lennon discovered a discrepancy between his pay and the figures on his Revenue account and sought help from an accountant. The company's accountant initially assured him there was no issue, but Lennon engaged his own accountant, who found inconsistencies. The tribunal heard that the company had not provided sufficient information on payslips and had not met the minimum hourly rate set by the Sectoral Employment Order (Construction Sector) 2023. Adjudicator Kara Turner found that the company had failed to provide a written statement of employment terms and had not implemented necessary benefits such as a pension scheme or sick pay. The total compensation awarded was €16,940.
A Tibetan Buddhist monk is in a legal limbo as the Irish State refuses to grant him an extension to appeal his asylum rejection. The monk, who cannot be named, claims he fled China for political reasons and fears persecution. His legal team argues that extraordinary circumstances, including a bombing in Sudan that delayed his appeal, should be considered. The monk has been in Ireland since 2024 and was denied asylum in January. His legal team is challenging the International Protection Appeals Tribunal's decision, claiming the delay was beyond his control. The High Court has adjourned the matter for further consideration. The monk's legal team submitted that a family member of his legal secretary was killed in the bombing, causing a delay in filing the appeal. The tribunal previously refused an extension, stating it had no jurisdiction to reconsider the case. The monk's situation remains unresolved as the court continues to review his appeal.
XTX Markets Technologies Ltd, a company owned by billionaire Dr Alexander Gerko, won an appeal against a decision by the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) that it had no standing to bring a racial discrimination claim. The High Court ruled that corporate entities may have standing under the Equal Status Act 2000. The company alleged that Aviva Investors Liquidity Funds PLC discriminated against it by refusing to do business due to its association with Gerko, a Russian-born individual. The court found that the term 'person' in the legislation could include corporate entities and referred the matter back to the WRC for a full hearing. The ruling was based on the interpretation of the European directive on racial equality, which includes protections for corporate entities.
A veteran employee of the Ballymaloe Cookery School, Julija Makejeva, has failed in a discrimination claim against the school following a hearing_or_decision at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC). Makejeva alleged discrimination on the grounds of family status under the Employment Equality Act 2000, claiming that new management failed to provide the same flexibility regarding working hours that she had previously received under the founder, Darina Allen. The WRC rejected her complaint, with adjudication officer Emile Daly noting that the complaint had a particular objection to the new managers and had made a bullying complaint against one, which was investigated but not upheld. Solicitor David Pearson for the respondent stated that the school made extensive efforts to accommodate Makejeva's childcare needs, but timekeeping became a persistent issue. Management met with Makejeva on several occasions to address her lateness, and in May 2024, a disciplinary process was launched. In June 2024, company director Toby Allen proposed a temporary part-time working arrangement, which Makejeva declined. She received a verbal warning for persistent failure to adhere to her start time. Following the warning, Makejeva's timekeeping improved, and she informed her bosses that her circumstances had changed, allowing her to start at 8.30am. Adjudicator Lefre de Burgh concluded that Makejeva had provided no evidence of discrimination based on any protected ground and found that the reassignment and associated working arrangements did not amount to discrimination on the grounds of family status.
Kian Pettit, the former head of compliance in Europe for the crypto exchange Gemini, has claimed that he was sidelined and forced out of his job after warning the company that its operating model would fall foul of EU crypto trading regulations. Pettit alleged that Gemini's model of executing trades at a guaranteed price would violate the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA), which requires exchanges to provide price improvement to customers. He said that the company's leadership decided to move operations to Malta, where they could operate under a more friendly regulator. Pettit claimed that he had no input in the decision and that his role was reduced to handling compliance work for small regulated businesses in Ireland. Gemini denied the allegations, stating that there was no evidence of illegality and that Pettit's claims did not stack up. The tribunal heard that Pettit had not invoked the company's grievance process before resigning, which could affect the success of his constructive dismissal claim. The case was adjourned for further consideration.
A part-time meat factory worker has won over €40,000 in compensation for sexual harassment and employment rights breaches after her boss approached her at her home and asked for a head massage. The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) adjudicator described the situation as "profoundly troubling," noting that the company director exploited the worker's financial vulnerability. The worker, who was a student in Ireland, was working part-time at Asba Meats Ltd in Shannon, Co Clare, and was relying on the company for a work permit. The tribunal heard that the worker's pay was delayed, and she was struggling to make rent and bill payments. The company director approached her on the premises and asked for her phone number, later texting her to meet at her home.
A garden centre was ordered to pay €5,000 in compensation for disability discrimination after an autistic job applicant was subjected to an unpaid trial shift without being informed of the conditions. The applicant, a 27-year-old man with autism, was misled into working a full day without pay, leading to confusion, humiliation, and a lasting impact on his confidence and self-worth. The Workplace Relations Commission found that the garden centre failed to accommodate the applicant's needs and conducted an informal, unstructured trial without proper supervision. The tribunal noted that the company's recruitment practices were inadequate and that the trial was discriminatory. The adjudicator ruled that the company was on notice of the applicant's disability and ordered a review of hiring practices to ensure compliance with the Employment Equality Act 1998.
A landlord, Muhammad Naeem Aslam, was ordered to pay €20,000 in compensation for threatening to evict his tenant, Ayodeji Saanu, just two days before he was due for surgery. Saanu, who was in a vulnerable position, had applied for the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme but was refused by Aslam, who threatened eviction if HAP was accepted. The Workplace Relations Commission found that Aslam's actions constituted discrimination under the Equal Status Act 2000. Saanu was forced to return to work before he was fit, leading to complications. The adjudicator ruled that Aslam's refusal to accept HAP and subsequent threats were discriminatory and ordered him to pay €12,000 for the breach and an additional €8,000 for victimizing Saanu by threatening eviction and conducting property inspections.
A master of a fishing vessel, Gerard Caulfield (55) of Abbey Street, Howth, Co Dublin, was fined €2,000 for exceeding the haddock quota while fishing off the south coast of Ireland. He pleaded guilty to charges under the Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006. The court heard that Caulfield was responsible for ensuring quotas were not exceeded and that catch data was accurately recorded. An inspection of the vessel, the Endeavour, on February 28, 2023, found that the haddock quota had been exceeded by 4.5 tonnes, with a market value of over €8,200. The court was told that the quotas are in place to ensure the sustainability of fish stocks and protect the fishing industry for future generations. Caulfield, who has no previous convictions, claimed he had a genuine misunderstanding of the quotas and was working with new crew members who had language barriers. His defence also highlighted his financial situation, noting he is a single man living with his elderly mother and currently earns €23,000 per year.
Aidan Grogan, 28, of Tallaght, pleaded guilty at Tallaght District Court to possession of cocaine, driving without insurance, driving without a licence, and giving a false name to gardaí. The offences arose from an incident on 30 December 2022, when Grogan was stopped on Katharine Tynan Road for erratic driving. Gardaí discovered he was uninsured and unlicensed, and he provided false details. Although he initially failed a roadside drug test, a subsequent test at Tallaght Garda Station was negative, so no drug-driving charge was brought. During a search in custody, gardaí found €350 worth of cocaine concealed in his clothing. His solicitor, Padraig O'Donovan, stated that Grogan is on social welfare, has two children, and has completed treatment for cocaine addiction at Cuile Mhuire. Judge Áine Shannon imposed a four-year driving ban and a €300 fine for the no-insurance offence, allowing three months to pay. The charges for driving without a licence and giving false details were taken into consideration. Acknowledging Grogan's engagement with treatment and his transition out of addiction, Judge Shannon ordered a probation report. The matter was adjourned to 13 February 2026 for finalisation.
A warehouse worker who was sacked after suffering severe eczema from handling cosmetic products has won €13,000 in compensation for disability discrimination. Santa Musinska, a Latvian national, was employed at a Masterlink warehouse in Clonmel, where she developed allergic eczema after handling cosmetics. Despite being provided with gloves, her condition worsened, leading to repeated sick leave and eventual dismissal. The Workplace Relations Commission ruled that her eczema constituted a temporary disability under the Employment Equality Act. The adjudication officer noted that the staffing agency failed to provide reasonable accommodation and that the dismissal was likely due to her disability. The agency was ordered to pay €5,000 for disability discrimination and €8,000 for discriminatory dismissal. This case marks the first in Ireland where eczema was recognized as a disability in a workplace discrimination claim.
The full cost of the damage to James 'Mago' Gately's Dublin home, which was seized by the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB), has yet to be calculated, the High Court has been told. Gately's house, which he renovated at a cost of €440K, was sold at auction for €308K. The court heard that the property was severely damaged after the CAB seized it, and repairs were made before the sale. David Dodd BL, for CAB, requested an adjournment to calculate the repair costs. The court previously ruled that Gately and his former partner, Charlene Lam, had funded their lavish lifestyle with proceeds of crime. Lam, who vacated the property before the damage occurred, is entitled to €11K from the sale. The case continues with the matter adjourned for mention next month. Gately, who has never been convicted of serious offenses, has been linked to organized crime but has survived multiple attempts on his life.
Adrienne Doyle, a mother-of-two, is challenging Bristol Myers Squibb's attempt to claw back parental leave payments she received in error. The tribunal heard that the company's eligibility criteria for enhanced parental leave was not communicated to Doyle at the time of her application, leading to an overpayment. The company initially demanded she repay €20,800 within three months, a request Doyle found unreasonable. The company later revised the amount to €2,000 less but still seeks repayment. Doyle argues that the company's failure to disclose the criteria constituted an error, and she is seeking a ruling that the payments were properly made. The tribunal is considering whether the company's actions were justified and whether the repayment demands are excessive. The case highlights the importance of clear communication of company policies to employees.
Michael Murphy, a solicitor with the Director of Public Prosecutions, brought an equality claim under the Employment Equality Act 1998 alleging discrimination because of his alcoholism. He claimed he was denied the opportunity to prepare murder cases and that his condition was not accommodated. The Workplace Relations Commission, after hearing evidence that Murphy had undergone residential treatment for alcoholism in early 2019 and had disclosed his condition to his line manager, found that his allegations were speculative. The adjudicator noted that Murphy had not formally requested a transfer or accommodation for health reasons and that his claims of unfair treatment were not supported by evidence. Consequently, the WRC rejected Murphy's claim, ruling that he had not been treated less favourably by the DPP. The decision was published on 18 November 2025.
Conor Meyler, a Tyrone senior inter‑county footballer and 2021 All‑Ireland winner, has filed a defamation claim against the Irish Post and its parent company, The Color Company (TM) Ltd. The High Court heard that the Irish Post published an article in January 2025 containing untrue details about Meyler. He alleges the article caused him loss, damage, inconvenience, expense, distress, embarrassment, annoyance and anxiety. The court allowed the Color Company to join as a co‑defendant and adjourned the case for a later hearing.
The High Court has upheld a disciplinary tribunal finding against suspended Roscommon solicitor Declan O'Callaghan regarding professional misconduct over a 2006 land transfer in Mayo. Mr Justice Micheál O'Higgins dismissed three of the four complaints brought by Nirvanna Property Holdings Ltd, run by Tom Fleming, but upheld the finding that O'Callaghan acted for both the vendor and purchaser in a conflict of interest. The judge stated that acting for both sides in this transaction represented a serious falling short of professional standards, though he was not minded to conclude O'Callaghan was guilty of dishonesty. The court found it was not proven beyond reasonable doubt that the vendor was owed €250,000, nor that O'Callaghan provided inadequate services or improperly continued acting for the purchaser. O'Callaghan, who has been suspended since 2018 over a separate matter involving alleged client account deficits, had argued he was not given a fair hearing. The tribunal's original recommendation to strike him off the roll remains on hold. The matter was adjourned to the New Year for submissions on costs and the appropriate sanction.
In a case heard at Dún Laoghaire District Court, a dangerous driving charge against ambulance driver Josh Hayes (24) was dismissed after the judge reviewed dash‑cam footage. The footage, captured by a different driver, showed a learner motorist who had unintentionally edged into Hayes's lane moments before the collision. The learner's car, coming from a slip road, merged into the lane and then moved further left into the inner lane directly in front of the ambulance. The ambulance struck the back of the learner's car, causing it to overturn. Both the driver and passenger sustained whiplash and bruising. Hayes had been driving with lights and sirens on while transporting a psychiatric patient. The judge, Anne Watkin, found that the learner's movement was the decisive factor and that the ambulance driver's actions were justified under the circumstances, leading to the dismissal of the charge. Josh Hayes pleaded not guilty.
Dr Ashlinn Cummins, a facial aesthetics doctor at The James Aesthetic Clinic Limited, claimed constructive dismissal after leaving her €125,000‑a‑year role in November 2024. She alleged repeated breaches of contract, workplace bullying, poor clinical standards, and a failure to address serious patient safety risks. Cummins said a clinic manager, identified only as "Ms D", engaged in hostile conduct, including shouting, eye‑rolling, confrontational meetings, interference with her clinical autonomy, and passive‑aggressive retaliation. She also described an unhygienic environment, noting no rubbish collection for months, bags of refuse left to rot, and over 40 dead insects in a reception area. Cummins claimed administrative errors threatened patient safety and that portions of her salary and mileage claims were late or unpaid. The Workplace Relations Commission rejected her complaint, finding she had not invoked the company grievance process and that her resignation was not due to unfair dismissal.
A UK‑resident trans woman, who holds Irish citizenship, has been granted leave to bring a High Court challenge against the State's refusal to register her child on the Foreign Births Register. The child was conceived via IVF using the woman's frozen sperm and delivered by her wife, who is not an Irish citizen. The State's position is that only the biological mother, i.e., the birth‑giving wife, can confer Irish citizenship through the Foreign Births Register. The woman argues that being denied registration because she is not the biological mother constitutes an offensive, discriminatory and unjust attack on her gender identity, legal status and same‑sex marriage. She seeks a declaration that she is a legal and genetic parent, an order to register the child, and citizenship for the child under Section 7(1) of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act, 1956. Ms Justice Sara Phelan granted leave for judicial review and adjourned the case to January.
A farmer from Dunmore, County Galway, has obtained High Court permission to challenge the residential zoning of his lands under the Residential Zoned Land Tax. Michael Knightly is seeking to quash the zoning decision imposed by Galway County Council and is pursuing proceedings against the Council, the Revenue Commissioners, Ireland, and the Attorney General. Mr Knightly contends that the zoning decision failed to consider reasonable matters, constituted disproportionate interference, and breached fair procedures, EU directives, climate policy, and Constitutional justice. He submits that the tax imposed as a result could necessitate the sale of his lands, interfering with his livelihood. Mr Knightly has actively farmed the land for two decades and receives agricultural payments and participates in environmental protection schemes. Galway County Council stated the lands occupy a strategic location suitable for immediate development to support housing needs and compact urban growth. The Council noted that rezoning to agriculture would conflict with its development plan. Mr Knightly's legal team, instructed by Ballyhaunis-based solicitors, argue the decision conflicts with EU farm sustainability regulations and climate obligations.
The Workplace Relations Commission found that the Health Service Executive (HSE) failed to protect a junior pharmacist from repeated sexual harassment by a senior pharmacist in his late 40s. The harassment began in May 2023 and included inappropriate remarks, sexual images and repeated contact after a formal complaint. The senior pharmacist was not suspended for over a year and remained in his role. The junior pharmacist had to take stress‑related sick leave twice and was repeatedly moved to new work locations. The HSE's internal investigation cleared the senior pharmacist, but the WRC adjudicator ruled that the HSE had taken only minimal steps to safeguard the complainant. The HSE was held liable for discrimination under the Employment Equality Act 1998 and awarded the complainant €86,717 in compensation, equivalent to a year's gross pay. The adjudicator also directed the HSE to disregard the claimant's stress‑related leave when calculating sick leave entitlements.
The High Court has granted Ducalla Limited, trading as Bunsen Burger, leave to challenge a decision that classified its outlets as a fast‑food establishment, a classification that led to the refusal of a visa permit for a non‑national chef de partie. Ducalla argues that Bunsen is a full‑service restaurant, with over 75% of customers receiving table service, and that the food is cooked to order rather than pre‑cooked or quickly prepared. The company contends that the department's review decision, which upheld the earlier refusal, was unreasonable and irrational, citing a lack of evidence that the food met the fast‑food definition. Ducalla also claims the department breached fair procedures and natural justice by failing to engage adequately with the applicant over the chef role and by not providing sufficient reasons for applying Section 4 of the Employment Permits Regulations 2024. The case is adjourned to January for further proceedings.
A 26-year-old man from north Dublin has pleaded guilty at the Central Criminal Court to attempted murder. Darragh Quigley of Carndonagh Road, Donaghmede, admitted the charge relating to an incident on Chatham Row, Dublin 2 on November 16, 2023. Mr Justice Paul McDermott adjourned proceedings to December 16 for the hearing of evidence and a victim impact statement. The case carries connections to Carndonagh in County Donegal through the defendant's address registration.
A 44-year-old painter decorator, Gary Newman of St James Road, Walkinstown, pleaded guilty at Tallaght District Court to drug-driving on Kimmage Road West on 11 February, 2022. The charge was admitted, and the plea was guilty. Garda Dylan O'Malley informed the court that Newman was stopped by gardai after his car, which had no relevant discs displayed, was observed driving in the Crumlin area. Newman was on a learner permit and failed a roadside drug test. A blood sample later confirmed the presence of cocaine in his system. The court heard that Newman had relapsed following personal traumas, including the death of his grandmother and the loss of a child. Since the incident, Newman has completed treatment at St John of God's, is attending Narcotics Anonymous meetings, and has been drug-free for the past year. His solicitor stated that Newman is working full-time, is single but in a relationship, and needs to drive for his job. Judge Karen Dowling acknowledged Newman's progress and directed him to continue engagement with support services and complete a driving awareness course. She ordered a probation report and adjourned the case to 6 February, 2026, for finalisation.
The High Court has ruled that the fast-tracked process used to establish an International Protection Accommodation Service centre in Athlone was flawed, but a four-month stay has been placed on the final order. The court has ordered that, following the stay, the site will be considered 'unauthorised development'. Aoife Carroll SC, representing the State, informed Ms Justice Emily Farrell that the proposed centre, which was intended to house up to 1,000 asylum seekers, is currently vacant and that a stay is being sought to allow time for remedial legislation. The legal challenge was brought by Westmeath Independent Ireland councillor Paul Hogan and four other local representatives, who argued that the minister failed to adequately screen the project for environmental impacts and lacked the necessary expertise to conduct such assessments in an expedited manner. The State conceded the legal challenge and requested a stay on the order quashing the use of the statutory instrument used to fast-track the facility. Ms Justice Farrell awarded costs to Cllr Hogan's side up until July 25 last. A bill is expected to be presented to cabinet in the coming weeks to address the error in the statutory instrument. The matter remains under consideration, with the stay in place for four months.
The Workplace Relations Commission upheld the dismissal of Michael Walsh, a Galway County Council employee, after an internal inquiry found he had made unauthorised diesel purchases using council funds. Walsh, employed since 2013, was accused of theft, fraud and falsification of records. He had used a council‑supplied low‑value payment card to buy fuel on three occasions in December 2022, claiming the purchases were for a Transit van hired for his work. The inquiry determined he had made over 12 unauthorised fuel purchases totalling €1,217, with additional inappropriate purchases amounting to €652.25, later reduced to €395.25 after further findings. Walsh admitted the use of council cards for personal use but denied any wrongdoing. The WRC found no unfair dismissal and rejected his claim for statutory notice pay, confirming the council's decision to terminate his employment in February 2024.
Patrick Lynch, 45, from Naas, Co Kildare, appealed the severity of a five‑month jail sentence imposed for driving without a licence, insurance or tax and for failing to produce a licence, offences under the Road Traffic Act 1961. Lynch had previously received three driving disqualifications in 2018, lasting six, ten and twenty years, and had 194 prior convictions, about 100 of which were road‑traffic matters. The appeal was heard by Judge Deirdre Browne in the District Court Appeals Court. Lynch's defence counsel, Seosaimhín Ní Chathasaigh BL, argued that Lynch had an early guilty plea, had been born into poverty, had struggled with alcohol and drug misuse, and was now seeking community rehabilitation rather than custody. Judge Browne noted that the offence was "particularly egregious" and that no evidence linked the offence to Lynch's addiction issues; she adjourned the case to 13 November, pending further evidence from the defence. The appeal remains pending.
Lois West, a former deputy head of the Garda Siochana Analysis Service, has testified before a tribunal that she believes no lessons were learned from her whistleblowing on Garda homicide data errors. West and analyst Laura Galligan publicly raised concerns in 2018 about misclassification of homicides in the Garda PULSE database, citing 16 cases that should have been reclassified and other data quality issues. They reported that investigations into some cases were inadequate, with some deaths recorded as sudden deaths for years despite extensive homicide investigations. West described internal review meetings in 2017 as "extremely challenging" and claimed she and Galligan were belittled and pressured to sign off on a report that excluded their input. She escalated concerns to Commissioner Nóirín O'Sullivan and the Policing Authority, which she says lacked authority. West maintains that families remain in distress because they cannot learn what happened to their loved ones.
Lisa Clarke, 51, pleaded guilty at Tallaght District Court for driving with excess alcohol after her white Nissan Juke overturned near a childcare centre on Ballymount Road on 11 April. Gardaí found her beside the car, smelling strongly of alcohol, with a blood alcohol concentration of 155 mg per 100 ml, more than three times the legal limit. She is a healthcare assistant and carer, with no prior convictions, who said she had been coping with a marital breakdown and mental health struggles. Judge Patricia McNamara told Clarke she was "very fortunate" to have avoided serious injury or death, questioned whether she had an alcohol problem, and directed her to obtain a medical report and urine analysis to prove she no longer drinks. The judge noted a minimum three‑year disqualification and adjourned the case to 12 December for finalisation.
A senior veterinarian, Annie Baltz, has been awarded €43,500 by the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) after being unfairly dismissed from her clinical director position with CVS (Ireland) Veterinary Service No. 2 Ltd in March 2024. The tribunal found that her dismissal was procedurally flawed under the Unfair Dismissals Act 1977, but the company argued it should not be required to compensate her fully for her losses. Ms Baltz, who had 12 years of experience, was dismissed following an internal investigation into a bullying complaint. She claimed the investigation was an attempt to remove her from the company and that she faced stress and a two-week absence from work in July 2023. After being suspended in September 2023, she was eventually awarded three-quarters of her assessed losses of €58,000.
The High Court has agreed to hear a judicial review brought by Angela Redic, who claims a State "cover up" in the death of her 25‑year‑old daughter, Mary. Redic says the inquest into Mary's death, found in her Cork apartment in September 2024, was not conducted lawfully and that she is entitled to documents withheld by the State. She is suing the Commissioner of An Garda Síochána, Cork City Coroner, Cork City Council, Sophia Housing Association and Cantillons Solicitors. Redic argues the coroner's short inquest in May was based on unverified facts and that Gardaí were negligent. The case will be heard over two days, with a hearing set for December 4, 2025.
Space commentator David Moore was found personally liable for breaches of employment rights against former Astronomy Ireland manager Sonya Martin, who claimed constructive dismissal and a toxic workplace. After four hearings over 11 months, the Workplace Relations Commission ordered Moore, the club and three other committee members to pay €10,784.60 to Martin. The tribunal awarded her €3,076.92 for constructive dismissal and €7,707 for unpaid statutory leave and lack of a written statement. Martin's case alleged bullying, harassment, financial irregularities, and that the club had no board, making her State grant applications invalid. Moore repeatedly objected to being named in the claim, citing libel, and left hearings in protest. The decision was issued within 42 days of the ruling.
The Workplace Relations Commission has suspended hearings into a whistleblower penalisation complaint by a long‑serving Garda while a legal challenge to its jurisdiction over press restrictions is pending. Lawyers for the officer have instructed the tribunal to go to the High Court if necessary to contest a media order imposed last year that barred the press from naming anyone identified during hearings into the complaint. The order was originally justified by State counsel Lorna Lynch SC, who argued that naming senior officers could undermine public perception and trust. The WRC extended the restriction to the claimant's name, citing fairness concerns. At a Dublin hearing, counsel David Byrnes BL highlighted recent legal developments, including a judicial review by a civilian employee of An Garda Síochána challenging the adjudication officer's authority to issue media directions. He urged the adjudicator, Jim Dolan, to consider the review and potentially pause proceedings.
In a decision by the Workplace Relations Commission, Marina Szatmari's claim of gender discrimination against County Kildare FM Radio Ltd, trading as KFM Radio, was dismissed. Szatmari, who worked on the station's traffic desk from September 2023 to April 2025, alleged discrimination, bullying and gossiping, and that she was pressured to resign. She cited an erroneous email from CEO Clem Ryan that she believed showed male management discussing her personal life, and claimed that her request to work remotely was initially denied. Ryan defended himself, stating he treated all female staff with respect and consideration, and highlighted salary increases and support he had provided. The adjudicator, Bríd Deering, found no evidence sufficient to shift the burden of proof to the respondent and therefore rejected the complaint. The case remains at the tribunal stage.
In a High Court hearing, Christopher O'Driscoll, a 39‑year‑old from Camp, Co Kerry, who is tetraplegic and unable to speak, announced that his lawsuit against Global Diagnostics (Ireland) Ltd, trading as Medica, and the HSE had been settled. O'Driscoll had claimed that the company failed to diagnose his stroke after a collapse on New Year's Day 2023, that a CT scan at University Hospital Kerry incorrectly reported no blockage, and that he was denied thrombolysis, leading to his locked‑in syndrome. Global Diagnostics denied these allegations, arguing the stroke's severity would have made thrombolysis ineffective. The case, which had been adjourned multiple times, was brought to mediation and concluded with a confidential agreement. Justice Leonie Reynolds approved the settlement and adjourned the matter to December 18, noting the parties' efforts and O'Driscoll's patience. The settlement terms remain confidential.
Stradbally Ladders Ltd, Ireland's only ladder factory, was ordered to pay €6,000 in compensation to former administrative assistant Joanne Kennedy for breaching maternity leave protections. The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) adjudication officer, Peter O'Brien, found that while a genuine redundancy situation existed, the company acted in total breach of the Maternity Protection Act by dismissing Ms Kennedy at the end of her protective leave without engaging in alternatives. The firm had made her redundant in July 2024, effective September 2024, after she requested parental leave. The adjudicator noted that the employer's decision not to issue notice before her leave did not eliminate its legal obligation to allow her return to work. Ms Kennedy's solicitors argued she was unfairly selected and denied an independent hearing during her appeal. The company contended that new automated systems rendered the administrative role unnecessary and that they avoided notifying her during her pregnancy-related sick leave. In addition to the €6,000 unfair dismissal award, the adjudicator granted a further €38 in interest compensation. This followed the company's admission of a genuine error under the Minimum Notice and Terms of Employment Act 1973, where they failed to pay two weeks' notice until eight months after the termination. The company had rectified the notice payment with a €1,260 cheque, but the adjudicator awarded interest for the delay.
A barman at Old Conna Golf Club, James Keegan, has filed an employment rights claim with the Workplace Relations Commission, alleging that several of his female co‑workers have received higher pay and better conditions despite his seniority. Keegan, who has worked part‑time at the club since January 2018, says the club hired three women after him who earned higher wages and had more favourable working hours. He has requested rosters and payscales for these employees and has tried to raise the issue with the club's general manager, former manager and president before taking sick leave in April 2025 due to workplace stress. The club's solicitor said it was unclear why Keegan was comparing himself to groundsmen if his complaint is a gender equality claim. The tribunal adjourned the hearing, with parties to exchange documents, and noted the case is unlikely to be re‑listed before year‑end.
In a case brought under the Employment Equality Act 1998, Swylwia Szuba, a Polish care‑home worker, won €1,800 after her line manager at Hazel Hall Nursing Home in Clane made remarks linking her nationality to a supposedly poorer attitude and compared Polish people to Irish people, calling the latter "nicer and kinder." Szuba, then three months into probation as an activities coordinator, complained that the manager's comments were discriminatory. She raised an informal grievance, received an apology, but the matter was closed without any action against the manager. Later, on 8 April 2024, her probationary employment was terminated on grounds of performance issues. The tribunal found the manager's remarks amounted to racial discrimination and ordered the employer to pay compensation and review its dignity‑at‑work policy within six months. The decision was made by adjudicator Elizabeth Spelman.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Karl Keogh, 38, admitted using forged documents—including a fake Virgin Media bill, counterfeit pay slips and a counterfeit Irish driving licence—to open an account at Ballygall Credit Union in Ballymun and borrow €19,000. The loan was never repaid, and the account fell into arrears. Keogh pleaded guilty to theft and fraud offences on 4 and 8 April 2021. The court, noting his severe gambling problem, imposed a 20‑month prison sentence.
On 23 October 2025, the High Court refused Dr Cora Stack's last‑minute application for a judicial review of the presidential nomination process. The court found her claims to be "entirely baseless" and "unstateable". Dr Stack, a maths lecturer, had alleged that political parties unlawfully blocked independent candidates, including herself, from contesting the election, and had sought a declaration that Tánaiste Simon Harris's instruction to Fine Gael councillors to block independent nominations was unlawful. She also requested an injunction to compel a "fair, lawful and constitutional" nomination process. Mr Justice Mark Heslin rejected all of her submissions, noting that she had failed to provide evidence of any attempt to secure 20 Oireachtas nominations or of any councillor's support. He dismissed her allegations that council meetings were "unprecedentedly clustered" or that she was denied a fair opportunity, calling them baseless.
In a 2025 decision by the Workplace Relations Commission, a blind former paralympian, Nadine Lattimore, was awarded €6,000 for disability discrimination after Tesco Ireland Ltd's security staff repeatedly denied her entry with her guide dog, Pilot, at three Dublin supermarkets in June and July 2024. The tribunal found Tesco vicariously liable for the actions of the OCS Group security contractors, who had no authority to exclude her. Lattimore presented phone footage of each incident, and Tesco offered apologies and assistance, which she declined, citing embarrassment and distress for her son. The adjudicator ordered Tesco to train staff and subcontractors on the Equal Status Act, implement compliance monitoring, and display signage welcoming guide dogs. This award brings Lattimore's total compensation from Dublin businesses to €20,000.
A sniffer dog alerted Gardaí to a 9mm submachine pistol, silencer and 37 rounds of ammunition hidden in the boot of a Citroën C4 parked at the home of Glen Dempsey, a 30‑year‑old father of four from Cuthbert Meadows, Clondalkin. Gardaí seized the vehicle after the dog signalled the boot, and a technical examination revealed a rusted but fully functional Scorpion submachine gun, a silencer and live ammunition. Dempsey, who had previously pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm, ammunition and a silencer in suspicious circumstances on 15 May 2024, claimed he was holding the gun because he owed €20,000 in drugs debt and was threatened by a third party. He said he had never seen or touched the weapon and that the car was not his or his partner's.
In October 2024 a worker at a motor garage claimed he was dismissed after marrying the boss's daughter. He said he was told not to return to work two days after the marriage and was later sent to the garage to collect his car, where he was attacked and stabbed. The Workplace Relations Commission, in a fully anonymised decision, found the dismissal unfair and awarded the worker €30,278 in compensation for 54 weeks' lost wages, reflecting the national minimum wage increase in January 2025. The decision noted that the assaults were still under Garda investigation and that publishing details could identify an asylum seeker. The employer did not attend the hearing, while the worker represented himself and was deemed credible. The award was made under the Unfair Dismissals Act 1977.