Golf Club secretary warned of perjury risk after trying to swear oath without Bible – The Irish Times
A workplace dispute involving a Dublin golf club has taken an unusual turn, centering on allegations of unfair dismissal and a warning about potential perjury. The case, heard by the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) on Wednesday, concerns the dismissal of a part-time cleaner and the evidence presented by a club official.
Golf Club Official Warned Over Oath
The Honorary Secretary of Skerries Golf Club, businessman Donnacha Neary, was cautioned by Adjudicating Officer Conor Stokes regarding the potential legal ramifications of providing false evidence. This arose after Mr. Neary initially attempted to swear a religious oath using a book that was not identified as a Bible.
The Oath Incident
Mr. Stokes, at the beginning of the online hearing, reminded all parties that evidence given must be truthful and that perjury could be prosecuted. When asked to produce a Bible for a religious oath, Mr. Neary presented a “black book.” After being questioned and admitting he did not have a Bible, Mr. Neary then affirmed his evidence instead.
The Dismissal Claim
The case involves Donna Ashe, a mother of one and caregiver for an adult daughter with a disability, who was earning €12.70 per hour for 18 hours of work per week. She was dismissed from her position at the golf club in October 2024.
Conflicting Accounts
Mr. Neary testified that a finance subcommittee concluded there was a potential cost saving of €7,500 annually by outsourcing the cleaning services. However, barrister Christian Douglas BL presented a club document listing “benefits” of outsourcing that included “more accountability on the standards of cleanliness,” suggesting cleaning standards were a factor in the decision.
Evidence presented included a WhatsApp message from a club committee member complaining about “cobwebs and insect nests” in the clubhouse porch prior to a Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) function, stating that new cleaners would be needed if standards didn’t improve. Mr. Neary maintained that the dismissal was not triggered by performance issues.
Procedural Concerns
Ms. Ashe testified that she was summoned to an “at-risk meeting” on September 16th, 2024, without being informed of its purpose. Her final meeting with Mr. Neary, on September 27th, lasted only five minutes, during which she was informed of her redundancy. She stated she was not offered the possibility of reduced hours.
Possible Outcomes
Adjudicating Officer Conor Stokes is expected to issue a written decision at a later date. Depending on his findings, the WRC could rule the dismissal fair, unfair, or potentially a “sham redundancy.” If deemed unfair, Ms. Ashe could be entitled to compensation. It is also possible that the WRC could find no wrongdoing on the part of the golf club.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the basis of Ms. Ashe’s complaint?
Ms. Ashe’s complaint was brought under the Unfair Dismissals Act 1977, alleging unfair dismissal from her position at Skerries Golf Club.
What was the club’s stated reason for the dismissal?
The club stated the dismissal was a genuine redundancy resulting from a structural business decision to outsource the cleaning function, aiming for a cost saving of €7,500 per year.
What was the nature of the dispute over the oath?
The dispute arose when the golf club’s Honorary Secretary, Donnacha Neary, attempted to swear a religious oath without possessing a Bible, leading to a warning from the Adjudicating Officer about the potential for perjury.
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