Labour Court rejects Karen Walsh’s appeal over Dunnes Stores dismissal

The Labour Court has rejected Karen Walsh’s appeal against the decision that her dismissal by Dunnes Stores was fair. The determination was dated 9 June 2020. Walsh had worked for Dunnes Stores since November 1996 and was a café restaurant manager when she was dismissed in July 2017. The appeal concerned her claim under the Unfair Dismissals Act. Dunnes Stores argued that Walsh’s admitted conduct justified dismissal and that its procedures were fair. Walsh argued that the process was unfair and that her appeal should have been a full rehearing. The Court considered incidents in which Walsh took food from the store without paying. It found that dismissal was a reasonable response to her admitted conduct and that the investigation and disciplinary processes were fair. The Court affirmed the Adjudication Officer’s decision, and the appeal failed.