11 Aug Dismissal Without Warning @ Dundalk FC. A costly game!
In one of two well publicised employment cases involving Dundalk FC, its former Chief Operations Officer, Martin Connolly was awarded almost €17,000 compensation earlier this year after being dismissed in February 2024 without any warnings, investigation, or disciplinary hearing.
Mr Connolly had day to day responsibility for running the club since January 2022 and was employed on a salary of €50,000 per annum, as well as being provided with a vehicle and health insurance.
Follwoing the club being taken over by a new owner in December 2023, he was followed into his office on the 26th February 2024 and told by the new owner that he was being let go, and was then paid 3 months notice until 22nd May 2024 as per his contract, with no further communication taking place about his dismissal
Mr Connolly received social welfare payments until September 2024 before taking up a role in a different sector on a lower salary.
The Club’s legal representative did not submit any oral or documentary evidence, but contested Mr Connolly’s efforts and commitment to get another job.
The Ajudication Officer concluded that no subtsantial grounds had been established for the termination of employment, in the manner it occurred without any warning or proper communication and due process.
It was also noted that Clause 12 of the employment contract which provided for summary dismissal in prescribed circumstances had not been invoked.
The Adjudication Officer accepted that Mr Connolly had attempted to mitigate his losses during the period March – June 2024 with evidence of a number of job applications, and whilst acknowledging that there was difficulty in obtaining work in the sports sector, or at a managerial level, there was inadequate evidence of reasonable efforts to mitigate financial loss in the June – August timeframe, before he commenced his new employment.
A sum of €16,667.00 was awarded in respect of the unfair dismissal of Mr Connolly, and was deemed to be just and equitable having regard to all the circumstances.
The importance of due process cannot be understated in a potential dismissal situation, with the above case demonstrating that it will be invariably costly to proceed without any prior notification, investigation or right to respond for the employee, or indeed the right to appeal a dismissal decision.
This is the second unfair dismissal case that the club has lost after the WRC previously ordered it in January 2025 to pay almost €53,000 to its former captain and ex-head of football operations, Brian Gartland, who was dismissed after making a protected disclosure about concerns for the safety of players.
All in all a costly game of football !