Firefighter who accused officer of bullying after equipment taken wins €15k

A firefighter employed part-time with Cavan County Fire Service has been awarded €15,000 by the Workplace Relations Commission following a successful complaint of penalisation under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005. Cian Donohoe alleged that a station officer subjected him to bullying behaviour including removal of personal protective equipment from his locker and derogatory remarks. Mr Donohoe reported concerns to the county's former chief fire officer in April 2022, subsequently taking an eight-month career break. He claimed the behaviour resumed and intensified upon his return, leading to work-related stress and medical absence. Adjudicator Roger McGrath upheld the penalisation complaint, finding the station officer's conduct amounted to coercion and intimidation, and that removal of essential firefighting equipment constituted a material detriment. The adjudicator noted the station officer did not attend the hearing to provide evidence. Mr Donohoe was represented by solicitor Damien Rudden, with the Local Government Management Agency appearing for Cavan County Council.