Tipperary stable hand sacked for going to pub after death of colleague awarded almost €6k

Workplace Relations Commission ruled in favour of the former employee, Thomas Byrnes, in his claim against Thomastown Training Centre — the training yard run by the Stack family in Thomastown, Co Tipperary — in what was described as a 'poignant' case

The horse trainers viewed the failure of four staff, including Mr Byrnes, to return to work after calling to the house where their colleague had died very seriously, given the yard’s animal welfare obligations and other regulatory issues, WRC told. Picture: Eamonn Farrell/RollingNews.ie

Wed, 23 Mar, 2022 - 12:00

Sean McCarthaigh

The racing stables operated by well-known horse trainer Tommy Stack and his son James have been ordered to pay compensation of €5,820 to a former stable hand who was unfairly dismissed after he failed to return to work after the sudden death of a colleague.

The Workplace Relations Commission ruled in favour of the former employee, Thomas Byrnes, in his claim against Thomastown Training Centre — the training yard run by the Stack family in Thomastown, Co Tipperary — in what was described as a “poignant” case.