Former Fine Gael TD Kate O’Connell Accused of bullying in Workplace Dispute
Former Fine Gael TD Kate O’Connell has been accused of bullying by a pharmacist who claims he was forced to resign from his position at her company due to workplace stress. The allegations,brought forward by Marwan Al Rahbi,a senior support pharmacist at Rathgar Pharmacy Ltd,have sparked a contentious legal battle under the Unfair Dismissals Act 1977.
The Allegations
Mr. Al Rahbi, who earned €112,000 annually, alleges he was constructively dismissed after enduring “rude adn bullying” behavior from Ms. O’Connell.His barrister,Cillian McGovern,told the Workplace Relations Commission that his client was “compelled to resign to protect his physical and mental wellbeing” in June 2024,following more than two years with the company.
The dispute reportedly escalated in May 2024 when Mr. Al Rahbi requested time off for the Islamic holiday of Eid al-Adha. According to Mr. McGovern, Ms. O’Connell confronted his client, asking, “Are you not working?” and instructed him to carry out “arbitrary tasks,” asserting, “I am your boss.”
Mr. Al Rahbi later contacted Ms. O’connell’s husband,Morgan O’Connell,the company’s superintendent pharmacist,to complain about the alleged rudeness.Though, mr. McGovern stated that Mr. O’Connell responded by telling him to “go the f back to work.”
The Defense
The company, which operates pharmacies in Kilmacud, Rathgar, and Sandyford, denies the allegations. Barrister Derek Dunne argued that Mr. Al Rahbi’s claims “do not stand up to scrutiny.”
Mr. Dunne disputed the events of May 7th, stating that Mr. Al Rahbi became “aggressive and confrontational” after being reprimanded for using his mobile phone at work. He claimed Ms.O’Connell had “calmly” asked the complainant to finish his call elsewhere and “did not raise her voice at any stage.”
Upon returning to the dispensary, Mr. Al Rahbi allegedly “roared and wagged his finger” at Ms. O’connell, “invading her personal space.” Mr. Dunne also contested Mr.Al Rahbi’s account of his interaction with Mr. O’Connell, stating that the complainant refused to acknowledge Ms. O’connell as his supervisor, saying, “No, I will not say she is my boss.”
The Breaking Point
Mr. Al Rahbi’s complaint detailed a 12½-hour shift on June 19th, during which he reached “breaking point” and left work early, citing illness. He was later diagnosed with workplace stress by a doctor.
Mr. McGovern argued that his client felt pressured to sign documents and believed his employers were trying to “force” him out. Additionally, Mr. Al Rahbi’s request for time off over Eid was not accommodated, and he suspected “confidential” details about a review meeting was circulating in the workplace.
The Legal Proceedings
The case has been adjourned by adjudicator Andrew Heavey, with Mr. al Rahbi expected to give evidence at a later stage. The O’connells and employees Kate Griffin and Sarah Lynch are also set to testify.
| Key Points | Details |
|————————————|—————————————————————————–|
| Complainant | Marwan Al Rahbi, senior support pharmacist at Rathgar Pharmacy Ltd |
| Allegations | Constructive dismissal, bullying, and workplace stress |
| Defense | Denies allegations, claims complainant was aggressive and confrontational |
| Legal Framework | Unfair Dismissals Act 1977 |
| Next Steps* | Adjourned for future hearing; witnesses to testify |
This case highlights the complexities of workplace disputes and the challenges of addressing allegations of bullying and unfair treatment. As the legal proceedings continue, the outcome will be closely watched by those advocating for fair employment practices.For more details on the case, visit the Workplace Relations Commission.
Former Fine Gael TD Kate O’Connell Accused of Bullying in Workplace Dispute
The Allegations
Editor: Can you provide an overview of the allegations made against former Fine Gael TD Kate O’Connell?
Guest: Certainly. The allegations stem from a complaint by Marwan Al Rahbi, a senior support pharmacist at Rathgar Pharmacy Ltd. He claims he was subjected to rude and bullying behavior by Ms. O’Connell, ultimately leading to his resignation in June 2024. Mr. Al Rahbi alleges he was constructively dismissed after enduring workplace stress, which forced him to resign to protect his physical and mental wellbeing.
Editor: Could you elaborate on the specific incident involving Mr. Al Rahbi’s request for time off?
Guest: Yes. The dispute reportedly escalated in May 2024 when Mr.Al Rahbi requested time off for the Islamic holiday of Eid al-Adha. According to his barrister, Cillian McGovern, Ms. O’Connell confronted him, asking, “are you not working?” and instructed him to carry out “arbitrary tasks,” asserting, “I am your boss.” This interaction allegedly contributed to the deterioration of their working relationship.
The Defence
Editor: How has Ms. O’Connell and her company responded to these allegations?
Guest: The company, which operates pharmacies in Kilmacud, Rathgar, and Sandyford, denies the allegations. Their barrister,Derek Dunne,argued that Mr. Al Rahbi’s claims “do not stand up to scrutiny.” specifically, Mr. Dunne disputed the events of May 7th, stating that Mr. Al Rahbi became “aggressive and confrontational” after being reprimanded for using his mobile phone at work. He claimed Ms.O’Connell had “calmly” asked him to finish his call elsewhere and did not raise her voice.
Editor: What about the interaction between Mr. Al Rahbi and Ms. O’Connell’s husband, Morgan O’Connell?
Guest: Mr. Dunne contested Mr. Al Rahbi’s account of this interaction. He stated that Mr. Al Rahbi refused to acknowledge Ms. O’Connell as his supervisor,saying,“No,I will not say she is my boss.” This further complicates the narrative presented by the complainant.
The Breaking Point
Editor: What led to Mr. Al Rahbi’s resignation, and how has his health been affected?
Guest: Mr. Al Rahbi’s breaking point came during a 12-hour shift on June 19th.He left work early,citing illness,and was later diagnosed with workplace stress by a doctor. Mr. McGovern argued that his client felt pressured to sign documents and believed his employers were attempting to “force” him out. Additionally, his request for time off over Eid was not accommodated, and he suspected confidential details about a review meeting were being circulated improperly.
The Legal Proceedings
Editor: What is the current status of the legal proceedings?
guest: The case has been adjourned by adjudicator Andrew heavey, with Mr.Al Rahbi expected to give evidence at a later stage. Key witnesses, including the O’Connells, Kate Griffin, and Sarah Lynch, are also set to testify. The case is being heard under the Unfair Dismissals Act 1977, and the outcome will be closely watched by those advocating for fair employment practices.
Conclusion
This case highlights the complexities of workplace disputes and the challenges of addressing allegations of bullying and unfair treatment. As the legal proceedings continue, the outcome will be closely monitored by stakeholders in the employment sector. For more details on the case, visit the Workplace Relations Commission.
