Ex-TD Faces Court Over Unpaid Workplace Relations Commission Award

Violet Anne Wynne, a former Clare TD, recently informed a court of her current financial struggles, which hinder her ability to fulfil a €6,500 debt. This obligation stems from a Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) award related to an unfair dismissal case. Appearing at Ennis District Court, Wynne explained her unemployment status, stating, “I am currently unemployed so I don’t have an income at this point in time.”

Background Of The Case

The court appearance was regarding a Determination Order opposing Wynne, which was originally secured last December by Fiona Smyth, Wynne’s former constituency office worker. The court had previously ruled in favour of Smyth, issuing an €11,500 award for unfair dismissal, of which only €5,000 had been paid, leaving €6,500 outstanding. Daragh Hassett, Smyth’s solicitor, informed the court about the unpaid balance, prompting a re-entry of the Determination Order.

Financial Challenges And Court Response

During the proceedings, Wynne explained her initial intention to pay the debt using her Dáil termination payment. However, Judge Alec Gabbett reminded her that failure to comply with the court order could result in criminal sanctions due to disobedience. Wynne noted her previous belief that she could access part of her pension, which allowed for the partial payment, but changes to the pension scheme for TDs elected in 2020 had altered her financial plans. This misunderstanding was described as “crossed wires” by Wynne.

Potential Payment Arrangements

Hassett indicated that instalment payments were an option for settling the outstanding debt. However, Wynne, a mother of six, expressed her inability to commit to any payment schedule at the current time, citing her and her partner’s unemployment status. Her partner’s health issues, specifically a return of epilepsy seizures, have further strained their financial situation.

Judge Gabbett inquired about the prospect of regular payments, but Wynne suggested that her circumstances might soon change, allowing for potential payment plans. She explained that her partner is undergoing further medical evaluations, as his seizures had resumed since May 17th, impacting their household income.

Statement Of Means And Adjournment

Hassett requested that Wynne submit a statement of means, including bank statements, to provide clarity on her financial situation. He expressed skepticism over Wynne’s claims of having no income, stating, “I am none the wiser after hearing what she has had to say about how she lives day to day.”

Judge Gabbett directed Wynne to prepare the statement of means for the next court date, scheduled for July 11th, and expressed a preference to avoid enforcing the order through the courts.

Previous Election And Political Context

In August, the WRC determined that Smyth was unfairly dismissed, resulting in the €11,500 order against Wynne. During her political career, Wynne received an annual TD’s salary of €113,679. However, her tenure ended after losing her seat in a November election, where she garnered a mere 310 first preference votes as an independent candidate, a stark contrast to the previous election in 2020, where she topped the poll as a Sinn Féin candidate.