Former IFI CEO claims he was 'blackmailed' by Senator

A former chief executive of Inland Fisheries Ireland is pursuing claims of unfair dismissal and breach of protected disclosures at the Workplace Relations Commission. Francis O'Donnell's case, heard over two days, centres on his departure from the State agency in summer 2025 before his five-year term concluded. Mr O'Donnell suspended a senior employee in February 2022 following an anonymous protected disclosure. He told the tribunal he subsequently faced pressure to reinstate the suspended staff member and alleged he was blackmailed by a sitting senator to do so. Mr O'Donnell said he made statements to gardaí regarding the alleged pressure and that no prosecution resulted from their investigation. The tribunal's adjudicator decided to proceed with a public hearing despite serious allegations being made against a named public official. The case hearing continues at the Workplace Relations Commission.