The Workplace Relations Commission awarded Craig Murphy €19,500 after finding he was unfairly dismissed by Murphy International Ltd. Adjudication Officer Seamus Clinton’s decision was dated 28 November 2025. The officer found the company had reasonable and proportionate grounds for dismissal, but that serious flaws in the investigation and disciplinary process made the dismissal unfair.
Murphy, a manager, said private use of company plant was common practice and challenged how the investigation was handled. The company said he had used plant without permission and that dismissal was justified given his role and the trust it required. The officer found Murphy had not been given advance notice of the initial meeting or allegations, and that his recorded responses were later relied on. In setting compensation, the officer found Murphy had contributed substantially to his dismissal and reduced the award by €10,500, from an estimated gross earnings loss of €30,000 to €19,500. His complaints about Sunday work, overtime, notice pay and annual leave were not well founded; three other complaints were withdrawn.