Labour Court overturns ruling for Mr Des Carolan against Paragon Ventures

The Labour Court overturned a decision upholding Mr Des Carolan’s working-time complaint against Paragon Ventures Limited T/A Mefs, finding the evidence did not establish that the company employed him. The determination was dated 14 October 2020. Mr Carolan said he joined as an office manager after being promised €65,000 a year plus benefits, and received €500 a week. The company denied employing him; Stuart Evans said he had made a separate arrangement with Mr Carolan that might have developed into a partnership. The Court found some evidence raised suspicion, but it was not enough to establish an employment relationship on the balance of probabilities. The claim failed.