A WOMAN has brought a High Court action for damages alleging she was so overloaded with work when employed by the charity organisation, Enable Ireland, she became stressed and was unable to do her job.
Catherine Goad (52), Lisheen, Ballynacally, Co Clare, has sued Enable Ireland Disability Services Ltd, Sandymount Avenue, Ballsbridge, Dublin, and Enable Ireland Retail and Fundraising Ltd.
The companies provide services and fundraise for people with disabilities. Both defendants deny the claims.
Opening the case, Michael McMahon SC, for Ms Goad, said she was employed by the defendants from November 2001 on a part-time basis, working 20 hours per week as a fundraising manager for Co Clare. Her salary was €17,141 per year.
He said that on her first day at work, she discovered that the office was full of bench seats from an old bus and was more akin to a "west of Ireland shebeen" than an office. There was no computer, no files, no papers, nothing, he said.
Mr McMahon said that Ms Goad was very successful in raising funds and organised a variety of events which included mini-marathons, golf classics, yellow ribbon days, church gate collections and fashion shows.
In her action, Ms Goad claims that, despite the lack of facilities and her isolation, she raised large sums of money for Enable Ireland.
She claims that, by Christmas 2001, she was actually working in excess of 40 hours per week and involving her family in assisting her.
In February 2002, she was appointed on a full-time basis and her salary was increased to €25,394, she said.
Despite continued requests for staff and facilities to assist her in her duties, the defendants had informed her that they were restructuring and needed time.
She claims that, in February 2003, the defendants had agreed that two administration assistants be appointed, one in Limerick on a full-time basis and the other in Clare on a part-time basis, and also agreed that two people be appointed on a part-time basis, one in Limerick and one in Clare.
During April and May 2003, Ms Goad claims that she inquired about the promised assistance and made the defendants aware in regard to the continued stress she was under, but the administrative support promised never materialised.
She claims she was told by the defendants there was a serious shortfall, in excess of €1 million, in their accounts and that they were under pressure nationally to shore up this shortfall and generate extra income.
The defendants failed, refused or neglected to provide any adequate or proper assistance for Ms Goad and continued to make unreasonable demands on her, she claims.
In June 2003, Ms Goad claims she suffered severe stress-related injuries and was unable to work.
She was advised by her GP to remain out of work and was treated with medication for her symptoms.
It is claimed another doctor was of the opinion in 2004 that she was suffering from a stress reaction because of unreasonable pressure placed on her at work and that she continues to be unable to return to work.
The hearing before Mr Justice John Quirke resumes tomorrow.