The appeal of a biochemist against her dismissal by the Blood Transfusion Service Board was adjourned for six weeks yesterday to obtain medical reports on her condition. The adjournment came after about an hour's negotiations.
Ms Cecily Cunningham was dismissed in July 1997, some months after the Finlay Inquiry into the BTSB and especially the contamination of blood products by hepatitis C. She is appealing her dismissal to the Employment Appeals Tribunal.
After the hearing of the appeal opened on Monday with the presentation of the BTSB's argument, its counsel, Mr Roddy Horan, argued that she should be barred from taking a case at all, as she was on sick leave at the time of dismissal.
Her counsel, Mr Michael McDowell SC, replied that she was sick from stress-related illness as a result of the manner in which she had been treated by the BTSB during and after the Finlay inquiry, and this should not preclude her from contesting her dismissal.
When the hearing resumed yesterday Mr McDowell said: "In view of what happened yesterday I am applying for an adjournment to obtain reports into the condition of my client."
Mr Horan said he could not object, and the chairman, Mr Tony Halpin, said the adjournment was granted. In view of Christmas approaching, he granted an adjournment for six weeks.