Senior civil servant challenges 'unlawful suspension' over bullying allegations

Department of Justice's head of human resources claims that at the beginning of March she was informed she was required to go on paid leave pending an investigation into certain allegations made against her by members of her team

Complainant has only been given vague details of the allegations against her, including that she allegedly shouted, belittled, demeaned, and lost her temper with other staff members at the department, court heard. Picture: Collins Courts

A senior civil servant at the Department of Justice has launched a High Court challenge aimed at overturning what she claims is her unlawful suspension from work.

The action has been taken by the Department of Justice's head of human resources Roisin Down, who the court heard has been out of work since March pending an independent investigation into bullying allegations made against her by members of her team.