You may recall a recent post on a case involving a member of the Gardai who had claimed she was Bullied and Harassed in her role. This case was notable due to the Gardas conduct in the initial Labour Court hearing which was chaired by Kevin Duffy who had to exercise great restraint in dealing with the case.
This case yesterday made its way to the EAT and appeared to follow much the same lines as the first hearing as reported in the Irish Independent. The claim was dismissed as it was not brought within the 6 months time limit allowable from the EAT, however it seems as though the employee picked up where they left off in the Labour Court by being objectionable and constantly interrupting the chair in the hearings.
The chair also threatened to impose a rarely used sanction – ordering that the claimant pay the respondent's legal costs to date – following repeated heated exchanges with the claimant. "I am a patient woman but I won't sit here and be subjected to a lack of respect," Ms O'Carroll-Kelly told the claimant, citing her "manner" and "attitude".
