Debenhams workers lose out on compensation worth hundreds of thousands over redundancies

In April 2020, Debenhams Retail Ireland announced it was going into voluntary liquidation with the closure of its stores in Ireland. Picture: Larry Cummins

The High Court has overturned a decision which could have meant the payment of hundreds of thousands of euros in compensation for former Debenhams' workers.

Mr Justice Anthony Barr reversed a Labour Court decision, which found the retail clothing store should pay €1,140 to a shop assistant for a breach of its obligations under the Protection of Employment Act 1977 in relation to consultations with workers' representatives once redundancies are contemplated.