Labour Court declines to recommend reopening Irish Rail severance settlement

The Labour Court did not recommend concessions on a retired Irish Rail worker's claim to reopen his voluntary severance settlement. The recommendation was dated 27 September 2010. The worker, represented by John Horgan, said the lower final payment unfairly reduced the benefit he expected after applying for early retirement. Irish Rail said a surplus colleague had to take over his duties before he could leave and that he accepted the severance terms in place at the time. The Court noted that the worker had not been formally on notice to leave on the earlier indicative date. He reactivated his application knowing the package had changed and accepted the terms in full and final settlement. It found no reasonable basis to recommend concessions on his claim.