Fire station row hits impasse

Local authorities in Limerick are at odds with Siptu on how to address “interpersonal difficulties” between three firefighters which led to a prolonged period of sick leave at a station which was forced to close temporarily last year.

While details of the “difficulties” between the firefighters based at Abbeyfeale fire station have not been made public, they were significant enough for industrial relations expert, Conal Devine, to be asked to compile a report on the dispute entitled Investigation into complaints and counter-complaints among fire fighters, Abbeyfeale Fire Station.

When the issue could not be resolved at a local level, it was the subject of a conciliation conference at the Labour Relations Commission. However, the LRC could not find a resolution either so the matter was referred for a hearing at the Labour Court.