Officer claims unfair dismissal

A FORMER officer has claimed she was unfairly dismissed from the Irish Prison Service after suffering extended illness.

The Employment Appeals Tribunal (EAT) heard that Catherine Fitzgerald, a prison officer for 22 years, is taking a case against the Department of Justice over its December 2009 decision to dismiss her.

Department solicitor Rosemary Healy Rae sought an adjournment on the grounds Ms Fitzgerald had also begun High Court proceedings.