The Labour Court upheld the unfair dismissal finding against the Health Service Executive South Tipperary Mental Health Services, while varying compensation for Christine Connolly from €11,732 to €2,055.44. The decision, dated 25 June 2024, followed the HSE’s appeal.
Connolly worked as an agency worker at St Luke’s. She said she was removed from the placement after allegations about a workplace confrontation and disclosure of confidential patient information. The HSE said concerns about her conduct led it to remove her from the site and that it would not require her services there again. Her agency continued her employment and redeployed her to St Patrick’s about a week later.
The Court found Connolly was dismissed from the St Luke’s placement without procedures and should have had the allegations investigated and a chance to respond. Because she was redeployed after about a week and suffered little or no financial loss, the Court set compensation at four weeks’ pay, or €2,055.44. The HSE’s appeal failed, and the original decision was upheld as varied.