Court overturns €19k unfair dismissal award to worker

The Labour Court has overturned a €19,000 unfair dismissal award made to a Dunnes Stores checkout worker who was dismissed after being absent from work for nearly three years.

The retailer successfully appealed against a ruling by an adjudication officer at the Workplace Relations Commission awarding €19,000 to Elaine O’Brien.

The Labour Court accepted Dunnes Stores’ view that there were substantial grounds justifying the dismissal of Ms O’Brien in circumstances where there was no prospect of her returning to work in the foreseeable future due to her continuing illness.