Stolen brandy accusations net €40k for store worker

A man has been awarded almost €40,000 in compensation for unfair dismissal after he was accused of stealing two cases of brandy.

As well as checking deliveries, the man, who was employed at the Tipperary store for 22 years, had the further task of dispatching goods to the family owners’ premises and to a mini-market.

The incident happened on Mar 15, 2010. The manager of one of the company’s stores and a “sleeping director” of the company’s operations was referred to by the tribunal as “DOC”. He gave evidence of seeing the claimant coming out of a shop entrance with two unopened cases of brandy.