Legal representatives for Galway City Council have consented to a judgment, with damages of €60,000, in a case taken by an employee of the local authority.
Galway Circuit Civil Court was told Seamus Geoghegan's case related to bullying and harassment, after he made a protected disclosure about alleged wrongdoing.
The court heard there was an ongoing criminal investigation relating to the plaintiff’s claims.
During the brief hearing this afternoon, Mr Geoghegan was represented by solicitor Evan O'Dwyer, with Damian Doyle representing the City Council.
When the 39-year-old’s personal injury case was called, John Hogan BL, for the Council, told Judge Eoin Garavan that he had been given instructions consenting to judgment.
Mr Geoghegan's Barrister, Michael O'Connor described this as "an extraordinary turn of events", akin to a "complete collapse of the scrum".
He said it was a case with far more complexities than a personal injury summons and briefly outlined how his client had made a protected disclosure "about machinery that was stolen".
Mr O'Connor said equipment being bought by the local authority was coming into a council depot in Sandy Road in Galway "and going out as quick as it came in".
Judge Eoin Garavan said the best outcome for any plaintiff was the maximum personal injury award the Circuit Civil Court could make. He entered judgment for Mr Geoghegan for the sum of €60,000, plus costs, to include all reserved and discovery costs.
Mr O'Connor said his client had been vindicated after reporting "bad behaviour about equipment going missing" to his supervisors.
Mr Hogan said the plaintiff was an ongoing employee with the local authority and that it wished him all the best. He said Galway City Council was very happy to have the matter concluded.
