Ex-AIB official had breakdown over stress, court hears

A FORMER Allied Irish Bank (AIB) staff official told the High Court yesterday she became a “vegetable” and had a “breakdown” because of pressure at work where absenteeism had reached chronic levels.

Sheila O’Keeffe, 48, of Billis, Drumalee, Co Cavan, told the court that in 1999 there were 530 days of absenteeism at the branch she worked at in Cavan, which had a staff of about 27.

With such a hard core of absenteeism flexibility was needed, she said, but this was not the case and she found it very stressful.