Labour Court recommends Laois County Council extend retained fire officer’s employment to 65

The Labour Court recommended that Laois County Council extend a retained Station Officer’s employment to age 65, exceptionally and subject to medical fitness. The recommendation was dated 1 March 2007. The Services Industrial Professional Technical Union argued that the officer had a legitimate expectation of working until 65 and cited two colleagues whose employment had been extended. The council said his contract did not allow him to work past 55 and that retirement at 58 followed the expert group report and his terms of employment. The Court considered his case identical to that of a colleague in Stradbally and recommended the extension on an exceptional basis, subject first to medical fitness.