A CHURCH worker, described by a psychiatrist as suffering from erotomania, sent inappropriate gifts, including a Valentine’s Day card, to the local parish priest, as well as declaring her love for him.The woman has been awarded €1,560 in compensation by the Employment Appeals Tribunal.
The tribunal ordered Fr Larry White, parish priest of Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish, Putland Road, Bray, Co Wicklow, to pay the award after it ruled the dismissal of his parish secretary, Margaret O’Hehir, had been “procedurally unfair”.
However, the tribunal also said the sacking of Ms O’Hehir, of Wolfe Tone Square West, Bray, Co Wicklow, had been justified as her actions towards an employer who was a priest were inappropriate.
Ms O’Hehir gave Fr White a ‘bon voyage’ card before he left for a holiday to Israel in May 2005 which proclaimed: “I love you.”
A forensic psychiatrist who examined Ms O’Hehir at the request of Fr White gave evidence that he had diagnosed her as suffering from a condition known as erotomania.
However, a HSE psychologist, on behalf of the parish secretary, said she did not believe Ms O’Hehir was suffering from a delusional disorder.
Although the tribunal acknowledged Ms O’Hehir’s actions were unusual, it ruled Fr White had not followed correct procedures under labour legislation in dismissing her from her job.
Fr White told the tribunal Ms O’Hehir had repeatedly given him gifts, including a number of cards and a keyring, which he felt was inappropriate because of what it depicted. Despite protesting several times he did not wish to receive any presents from her, she continued to leave him gifts.
Fr White said he was amazed and shocked at receiving a card in which she declared her love for him.
The priest told her, while he respected her feelings, he could not reciprocate them.
The tribunal heard Ms O’Hehir tendered her resignation in May 2005 shortly after informing Fr White she had loved him for the previous three years.
The secretary claimed she did this because she believed Fr White had betrayed a confidence about her personal life to another parishioner.
Under cross-examination, Ms O’Hehir accepted that some of the cards she sent to the priest were inappropriate, although she believed sending a Valentine Day card was just a silly gesture.
The award of €1,560 to Ms O’Hehir equates to four weeks’ pay, the minimum allowed under the Unfair Dismissal Acts.
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