A convicted operator of a Dublin dog pound and warden service has been successful in having an 18,000 award to a ‘whistleblower’ dog warden who raised concerns relating to animal welfare at the pound overturned.
This follows the Labour Court upholding the appeal by David Stone and Carol Stone trading as the Ashton Dog Pound and Warden Service against the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) ordering them to pay 18,000 compensation to ex-employee Conor Williamson.
On behalf of the Labour Court, deputy chairwoman, Louise O’Donnell ruled that no penalisation occurred against Mr Williamson under the Protected Disclosures Act.
Mr Williamson told the Labour Court that he made a protected disclosure by email to his employer on July 26th, 2020 in respect of cruelty to animals, and alleged that he was then subjected to unwarranted disciplinary investigations and sanctions.
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However, on behalf of the court, Ms O’Donnell found that there was no causal link between Mr Williamson’s protected disclosure and the pound suspending him or issuing a final written warning to him.
Ms O’Donnell found that the Stone/Ashton Dog Pound appeal succeeds and the decision of the WRC Adjudication Officer is set aside - or overturned.
Mr Williamson alerted Gardaí to the illegal use of a euthanasia drug on dogs at Ashton Dog Pound at River Rd, Castleknock, that culminated in its owner,
David Stone being prosecuted and Judge Martin Nolan imposing a fine of 30,000 on Mr Stone at Dublin...
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