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Galway Clinic worker sacked over behavior awarded 12 thousand euro
Galway Bay fm newsroom – An operating theatre worker at the Galway Clinic who was sacked over her behavior has been awarded 12 thousand euro in an appeal.
Dolores Malone sued for unfair dismissal, claiming at a two day hearing in Galway that her dismissal was disproportionate for what she had done.
A colleague of operating theatre practitioner Dolores Malone made a complaint against her in October 2013, alleging aggressive behavior on at least three occassions.
According to the Irish Times, when confronted about the accusations, Ms. Malone admitted to calling her colleague ‘a cow’ and ‘dishonest’ but felt she was being targetted.
After an investigation, she was issued a written warning and told any further breach would result in further action, up to and including dismissal.
In a further incident in December 2013, Ms Malone requested copies of all theatre rosters from 2010 from her manager – and allegedly became loud, aggressive and angry when informed she would have to put the request in writing.
At a disciplinary meeting in February 2014, other members of staff complained about Ms. Malone and her behavior towards them in theatre.
The hospital suspended her and Ms Malone subsequently went on sick leave – but was then dismissed in May 2014.
She took her case to the Equality Appeals Tribunal, alleging that her dismissal was disporportionate to her actions.
At the EAT hearing held in Galway, the head of HR at Galway Clinic said issues with Ms Malone initally rose in 2010, when a consultant wrote a letter expressing concern about her behavior.
In her defense, Ms Malone denied speaking to her manager in a loud, aggressive and angry manner when approaching her about rosters.
The tribunal also noted that a number of people who made complaints against Ms. Malone were not prepared to put themselves before her at any meeting.
It further found that Ms Malone was not furnished with copies of witness statements despite her requests – nor was she permitted to cross examine the witnesses.
In it’s ruling, the tribunal found that the grievance procedure adopted by the Galway Clinic was ‘flawed in its failure to live up to the rules of natural justice’.
However, despite awarding Ms. Malone 12 thousand euro for unfair dismissal – it found that she contributed substantially to her own dismissal.
The death has occurred of the former Bishop of Galway, Kilmacduagh and Kilfenora Martin Drennan, six years after he announced his retirement on health grounds. He was aged 78.
The Galway Diocesan Office confirmed the death this (Saturday) afternoon of the Bishop and Apostolic Administrator Emeritus, who oversaw the Diocese for eleven years.
Born on January 2, 1944 in Piltown, County Kilkenny, he studied for the priesthood at Saint Patrick’s College, Maynooth, from where he was ordained to the priesthood in 1968. His brother Michael is also a priest.
Following his ordination, he continued his studies in Rome where he was awarded a Licentiate in both sacred theology and sacred scripture. He returned to Rome in 1980 to become spiritual director at the Pontifical Irish College for the next five years.
He became a lecturer in sacred scripture at Saint Patrick’s College, Maynooth, where he continued to teach until his appointment as Auxiliary Bishop of Dublin in 1997 with responsibility for East Wicklow and South Dublin.
Following the retirement of Bishop James McLoughlin, Bishop Drennan was appointed Bishop of Galway and Kilmacduagh and Apostolic Administrator of Kilfenora and he was installed on July 3, 2005 in Galway Cathedral.
Outgoing Cllr Terry O’Flaherty (Ind) is on course to retain her City Council seat – and top the poll in City East.
With 33% of the boxes tallied, Cllr O’Flaherty is polling strongly, particularly in Renmore.
Michael John Crowe is ahead of his running mate Alan Cheevers for the Fianna Fáil vote, according to the early figures, although that could change when Doughiska and Roscam boxes are opened.
The Green Party’s Claire Hillery is on about 7%, with Fine Gael on 10% and Sinn Fein on 5%.
The opening of boxes for the local elections began at 9am this morning in Leisureland when the tallymen (and women) kicked into gear.
As regards the Galway County Council elections, the smaller areas are being opened first which means that the four-seater Connemara North boxes will be first in the pecking order.
It will be followed by Gort-Kinvara (5 seats), Connemara South (5 seats), Athenry-Oranmore (7 seats), Ballinasloe (6 seats), Loughrea (5 seats) and finally Tuam (7 seats).
The boxes in these areas will be opened and tallied in that particular order before being transferred to the Galway Lawn Tennis Club on Threadneedle Road where the counting will commence around mid-morning.
That is when the fun will really begin – although the tallies should give a good indication as to where most of the seats are destined.
As regards the city, the Galway City East boxes were opened first, followed by Galway City Central and finally Galway City West. These votes will be transferred to the Westside Centre by around 11am for counting.
There are 39 seats on Galway County Council to be filled with 18 on Galway City Council. The City Council count is expected to conclude on Saturday night but the County Council count – with seven electoral areas to be filled – could well go into Monday.
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