Former rugby star Corrigan begins claim for unfair dismissal

Former Irish rugby star Reggie Corrigan has begun an unfair dismissal action against the Leinster branch of the IRFU after his contract as scrum coach was not renewed in 2012.

Mr Corrigan, 43, from Hillside, Greystones, Co Wicklow, was described as a “Leinster legend and part of Leinster rugby history” during a hearing of the Employment Appeals Tribunal in Dublin yesterday.

Mr Corrigan, capped 47 times as prop for Ireland, was appointed scrum coach for Leinster in July 2009.

However, Leinster officials claim there were three scrum coaches for two positions in the provincial set-up after their funding was cut by the IRFU.

Claire Bruton, counsel for the Leinster Branch, said a decision was taken in April 2012 to make Mr Corrigan’s position redundant when their budget was reduced.

“It was a headcount issue,” said Ms Bruton, who added that nobody has since filled Mr Corrigan’s role with Leinster.

However, Frank Drumm, counsel for Mr Corrigan, said he was not on a fixed-term contract but one of indefinite duration and the issue of redundancy had never been mentioned to his client.

The tribunal heard that Mr Corrigan was initially working as scrum coach for Leinster’s professional team but subsequently worked as scrum coach development officer with clubs and schools after the expiry of his original two-year contract.

Philip Lawlor, Leinster’s domestic rugby manager, explained Joe Schmidt had brought in his own scrum coach, Greg Feek, following his appointment as successor to Michael Cheika as Leinster head coach in 2010.

Mr Lawlor said it meant there were two people doing one job. He admitted Mr Corrigan had suffered a €20,000 reduction in his salary when his position was changed to scrum coach for schools and clubs, which paid €40,000 per annum.

Mr Lawlor outlined how he informed Mr Corrigan at a meeting on April 9, 2012, that his contract would not be renewed.

Mr Lawlor said the decision was “regrettable” and “not easy for someone I knew quite well and admired”.

Lawyers for Mr Corrigan indicated they might seek to summon Ireland coach, Joe Schmidt, as a witness in the case.

The hearing was adjourned until May 30.