Church volunteer unsuccessful in employment complaint over sale of ‘fake relics’

A long-time security volunteer at a Limerick church has failed in his bid to challenge his dismissal through the Workplace Relations Commission. Frank Purcell had served the Augustinian Order for 16 years, often performing duties seven days a week, before he was asked to step down in late 2024.

The conflict arose after Purcell attempted to alert the order about individuals he claimed were selling fake relics at the church. These warnings reportedly resulted in an altercation on church grounds during Mass. Following this incident, the order requested that he cease his volunteer activities, citing a complaint from other churchgoers as the primary driver for the decision.

Purcell sought to pursue a complaint under the Unfair Dismissals Act, but the legal team representing the order pointed to a fundamental issue with the claim. They highlighted that Purcell’s own submission listed his gross weekly wages as zero euros. The absence of a formal contract or financial remuneration meant the case lacked the necessary legal grounds to proceed as an employment dispute.

During the hearing, adjudication officer Peter O’Brien noted that while Purcell clearly held the interests of the church at heart, his volunteer status did not qualify as employment under existing law. The Commission ultimately dismissed the claim due to a lack of jurisdiction, concluding that no employment relationship existed between the volunteer and the religious order.