Labour Court dismisses rail worker’s appeal over income protection deductions

The Labour Court dismissed Patrick Geraghty’s appeal, finding that Iarnrod Eireann/Irish Rail lawfully deducted contributions to an income protection scheme from his wages. The decision was dated 20 June 2024. Geraghty argued he had not consented to the deductions and that the employer should have considered his individual financial circumstances. The employer said the scheme was covered by a collective agreement incorporated into employees’ contracts. The Court found that the agreement required scheme membership and contributions at the agreed rate. It ruled that the deductions were lawful and that Geraghty was deemed to have consented through his employment contract. Contributions were €13 gross per week during the scheme’s initial three years and rose to €16 gross per week after a premium increase in 2023.