UPS told man: You could be a terrorist

A former UPS employee has told a court he was told he could be "a bomb-maker or an IRA terrorist" when he could not produce evidence of previous employment.

Circuit Court President Mr Justice Raymond Groarke awarded Francis Deegan €15,000 compensation for unfair dismissal by United Parcel Service, of North Wall Quay, Dublin.

Mr Deegan, with an address at Coultry Avenue, Santry, Dublin, had appealed a €2,000 compensation award made to him almost six months ago by the Employment Appeals Tribunal.

He said he had been unable to provide documentation for a company background check on his previous employment for the period January 2007 until he joined UPS in October 2008.

Mr Deegan said that, prior to joining UPS, he had worked for an employer who had refused to provide him with formal proof of employment.

His barrister, Conor Bowman, said the company had refused Mr Deegan an opportunity to make a sworn statement of his earlier employment, although it had allowed other employees to do so.

Mr Deegan said he was shocked when UPS transportation manager John O’Donovan told him at a disciplinary meeting that he could be a bomb maker or an IRA terrorist.

Mr Bowman told Judge Groarke Mr Deegan was appealing the compensation award of only €2,000. Awarding him €15,000, the judge said UPS had demanded more proof from him than other employees.