Worker gets €21k for being sacked

A BUILDING supply firm has been ordered to pay €21,000 compensation to a former worker whom it fired after he was unable to return to work due to illness.

The Equality Tribunal ruled that Stresslite Tanks of Blessington, Co Wicklow, had discriminated against the former foreman on grounds of disability.

The foreman, Patrick Kennedy, had claimed he was given his P45 without any notice during a period when he was off work for several months due to recovery from major heart surgery. Mr Kennedy claimed he was discriminated on grounds of disability.