The Labour Court overturned an adjudication officer’s decision and found that a Galway Greyhound Stadium groundsman was entitled to double time for hours he worked during Galway Race week in 2020. Its determination was signed on 10 June 2022.
Mr John Kilmartin said repeated double-time payments had become part of his employment contract through custom and practice. Greyhound Racing Ireland argued the payment was a discretionary bonus linked to extra events and revenue, which were absent during the pandemic.
The Court found there was no clear evidence that the payments were subject to qualifying conditions. Because the payment had been made every year, including when race meetings were reduced, it had become a contractual commitment and was properly payable under the Payment of Wages Act, 1991. The Court directed the company to pay the difference between the wages Kilmartin received and double time for the hours he worked that week.