€250k for HSE official dismissed over fuel card

Frank McClintock, the former head of the HSE’s ambulance service who was dismissed for the improper personal use of a fuel card, has been awarded €250,000 compensation for wrongful constructive dismissal.

However, Judge Alan Mahon, in the Circuit Civil Court, yesterday reduced the award by 20% to €200,000 because of 49-year-old McClintock’s pre-dismissal conduct in using the fuel card for his own use.

The judge told the Derry-city based Mr McClintock the loss he suffered since his dismissal almost four years ago was significant and certainly greater than the maximum €250,000 he could award under current employment legislation.