The Labour Court determined that Karen Walsh’s appeal against the dismissal of her unfair-dismissal claim against Dunnes Stores was valid. The Court said it had to hear the parties and decide the appeal, but did not rule on the unfair-dismissal claim itself. The determination was signed on 14 October 2019.
At the earlier hearing, Walsh and her representative withdrew, and the Adjudication Officer dismissed the claim for want of prosecution. Walsh said she withdrew because Dunnes Stores had filed its submission late, leaving her open to being ambushed. Dunnes Stores argued that the Labour Court had no jurisdiction to hear the appeal. The Court concluded that the Adjudication Officer had made a decision under the Act and that it therefore had jurisdiction to hear the appeal.