Sommelier Wins €4,272 Unpaid Wages Claim After Shanahan’s on the Green Closure
When Dublin’s famous restaurant Shanahan’s on the Green abruptly shut its doors last year, staff were left unpaid and uncertain about their future. Now, the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) has awarded one of its long-serving employees, Cormac Thunder, a total of €4,272 for unpaid wages and notice pay.
This decision highlights the importance of knowing your rights when an employer fails to meet their legal obligations.
Shanahan’s on the Green Closes Without Warning
Mr. Thunder, a sommelier and wine manager, had worked at Shanahan’s for over 13 years when, in October last year, he and his colleagues received a shocking email titled “Shocked! Stunned!”
Attached to the email was a letter explaining that the Revenue Commissioners had frozen the company’s bank accounts due to unpaid tax obligations. The message also stated that the restaurant would “cease operations until further notice” and that owner John Shanahan was leaving for the United States to “resolve matters.”
However, Mr. Thunder said he never heard from Mr. Shanahan again. Despite multiple attempts to reach him, both Mr. Thunder and the WRC received no response.
The WRC Hearing and Decision
In a hearing earlier this year, the WRC examined Mr. Thunder’s claim for unpaid wages under the Payment of Wages Act 1991.
- Mr. Thunder had been earning €102 per shift, with an average of €700 weekly from gratuities and service charges.
- He stated that he was not paid for his final week of employment and received no notice of termination.
- While unpaid tips are recoverable under the Act, they are not counted as wages when calculating notice pay.
After reviewing the evidence, Adjudication Officer Elizabeth Spelman awarded:
- €3,060 in unpaid wages (six weeks at €510 per week)
- €1,212.74 for his last week of employment
This brought Mr. Thunder’s total award to €4,272.74.
Nearly €40,000 Owed to Former Staff
Mr. Thunder is not alone. Since Shanahan’s closure, eight former employees — including waiters, chefs, and reception staff — have collectively been awarded €39,727.17 in unpaid wages and notice pay by the WRC.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of enforcing your rights when an employer fails to meet their legal obligations.
Your Rights If You Haven’t Been Paid
Under Irish employment law, your employer must:
- Pay your wages in full and on time
- Provide proper notice before ending your employment
- Honour any outstanding payments, including holiday pay and entitlements
If your employer fails to do this, you can bring a claim under the Payment of Wages Act 1991 to recover what you’re owed.
How Employment Matters Can Help
At Employment Matters, we’ve helped hundreds of employees successfully recover unpaid wages, outstanding notice pay, and other entitlements.
If you’ve been left unpaid after your employment ended, we can:
✅ Review your case and explain your options
✅ Represent you before the WRC
✅ Help you secure the compensation you deserve
📞 Contact us today to book a consultation and protect your rights.
