Drogheda Borough Council has expressed concern over yesterday's High Court ruling in which a local part-time fireman won the right to keep working until he is 65.
58-year-old Patrick Reilly from Bally Park in the town was to have been retired on his 58th birthday under the terms of an agreement between the Local Government Management Services Board and the trade unions.
However, the High Court ruled Mr Reilly, who had been told on joining the fire service he could work until 65, should be allowed to do so because a change in the retirement age could not be forced upon him.
In a statement, Drogheda Borough council said they were considering the implications of the judgement and whether to appeal it or not.
A spokesperson said the ruling set a precedent with implications not only for themselves but for local authorities across the country.
The judgement ‘seriously questions’ how the binding agreement between the trade unions and the authorities can be applied, the Council said.
The local authority said they will be discussing the issue with the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government as well as the LGMSB and assessing the full implications of the High Court judgement.
