Firefighter Wins €15,000 After Bullying Claims Against Officer

A part-time firefighter has been awarded €15,000 after successfully claiming he was bullied by a senior officer at the Cavan County Fire Service. Cian Donohoe accused Station Officer Joey McDonald of making derogatory comments about his weight and driving abilities, as well as allegedly instigating the removal of equipment from his locker. The ruling came from the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC), which upheld Donohoe’s complaint of penalisation under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005.

Donohoe, who has worked as a retained firefighter since 2016, stated that his experiences deteriorated significantly following McDonald’s appointment in 2019. He described a series of incidents characterized by “bullying behaviour, intimidation, and harassment” initiated by McDonald. Among the allegations was the removal of personal items from his locker, including a flashlight and specialist gloves, which he asserted were essential to his safety on the job.

In April 2022, Donohoe approached former chief fire officer Noel O’Reilly to discuss the ongoing issues. Following this conversation, he took an eight-month career break at O’Reilly’s suggestion. However, upon returning in August 2024, he claimed that the bullying intensified. Donohoe reported that McDonald continued to demean him and make negative comments regarding his performance, especially regarding his fitness and driving skills.

Donohoe recounted an incident during a one-on-one meeting in May 2024, where he felt threatened by McDonald, who allegedly raised his voice and pointed a finger at him. This confrontation was part of a broader pattern of behaviour, he asserted, which included being unfairly singled out for investigations based on his residential distance from the fire station.

Further compounding the situation, while on medical leave for work-related stress in January 2025, a video of Donohoe circulated on the fire station’s WhatsApp group, accompanied by a derogatory comment from McDonald. This incident, according to Donohoe, exemplified the ongoing harassment and contributed to his feeling of isolation among colleagues.

During the tribunal, O’Reilly corroborated Donohoe’s account of events, acknowledging that the issues raised were indeed serious. The adjudicator, Roger McGrath, found that McDonald’s actions constituted coercion and intimidation, affirming that the removal of Donohoe’s personal equipment was not a trivial matter.

In his decision, McGrath emphasized the importance of personal protective equipment, noting that Donohoe should not have been placed in a position where he had to borrow essential gear from colleagues. He concluded that Donohoe’s claims were substantiated and awarded him €15,000 in compensation for the distress and detriment he suffered as a result of McDonald’s conduct.

Donohoe was represented by solicitor Damien Rudden in this case, while Keith Irvine represented Cavan County Council, the employer involved. The ruling serves as a significant reminder of the importance of workplace safety and respect, particularly in critical services such as firefighting.