Dublin, 4 March 2011 - Noel Wardick is the former Head of International Programmes at the Irish Red Cross (IRC) where he directed the IRC's overseas humanitarian relief efforts. By all accounts, he was a conscientious and professional member of staff and had no prior disciplinary record.
In November 2010, Mr. Wardick was dismissed by the IRC for gross misconduct. This came about after the Irish Red Cross had brought legal action against Google and UPC to expose the author of an anonymous blog revealing and commenting on issues related to financial management and governance at the charity. Mr. Wardick came forward as the author of the blog without a court order being secured against Google.
The IRC has not denied the substance of many of the claims made by Mr. Wardick. Neither has an independent investigation taken place into his reports. Likewise, Mr. Wardick has not been afforded an independent appeal (he will have to wait for more than a year for a case to be heard by the statutory Employment Appeals Tribunal).
TI Ireland believes that Mr. Wardick's claims and his case can only be fairly and effectively dealt with if an independent inquiry into those claims takes place. Furthermore, it is important that Mr. Wardick be reinstated pending the results of that inquiry. If the inquiry finds that Mr. Wardick maliciously and purposely made false reports then he should be dismissed and legal action taken against him for defamation.
The Irish Red Cross has played and continues to play a critical role in delivering first aid and humanitarian relief where it is needed the most. Its track record and dedication of its staff and volunteers have earned it a deserved reputation for rapid and effective humanitarian care. Nevertheless, the IRC's decision to dismiss Mr. Wardick will have a chilling effect on other prospective whistleblowers in Ireland, who like him, have reported on a issue of public concern and in good faith.
Letter sent 4 March 2011:
Central Council
The Irish Red Cross Society
c/o Mr. David J. O’Callaghan
Chairman
The Irish Red Cross Society
16 Merrion Square Dublin 2
Dear Mr. O’Callaghan,
We write to repeat our request for an independent investigation to be commissioned into the claims made by Mr. Noel Wardick related to governance and financial management of the Irish Red Cross Society and call on the Irish Red Cross to reinstate Mr. Wardick pending the outcome of such an investigation.
We regret to note that no such investigation took place in advance of his unsuccessful appeal against his dismissal. We would also kindly ask that our letter of 9 December 2010 be distributed to members of the Central Council of the Society. The letter of 9 December is attached for your reference.
Yours sincerely,
John Devitt
Chief Executive
Letter sent on 9 December 2010:
Central Council
The Irish Red Cross Society
c/o Mr. David J. O’Callaghan
Chairman
The Irish Red Cross Society
16 Merrion Square Dublin 2
9 December 2010
Dear Mr O’Callaghan,
I write to formally and publicly raise the concerns of Transparency International Ireland with the Irish Red Cross Society over its dismissal of Mr. Noel Wardick, former Head of the Irish Red Cross’s International Department. We are concerned that the Irish Red Cross Society has not treated Mr Wardick in a fair and transparent manner.
We are also using this opportunity to call on the Irish Red Cross to commission an independent investigation into the claims made by Mr. Wardick related to governance and financial management of the society. Furthermore, we call on the Irish Red Cross to reinstate Mr. Wardick pending the outcome of such an investigation and any formal appeal he may make against his dismissal. As you are aware, Mr. Wardick was dismissed for gross misconduct on 10th of November this year.
We have no intention of commenting on the internal affairs of the Irish Red Cross. However we restate our intention to speak openly on issues of public importance. This is particularly the case where we believe a negative precedent has been set by disciplinary or legal action taken against any person who raises concerns in good faith and in the public interest. Such a precedent is likely to arise from Mr. Wardick’s dismissal and his case will serve as a warning to others who may find themselves in a similar position.
Mr. Wardick’s dismissal appears to have been based on a finding of misconduct arising from the substance and manner in which he made claims related to the governance and financial management at the Irish Red Cross. Given that the claims made by Mr. Wardick do not appear to have been independently investigated, we believe it is impossible to reliably ascertain whether the claims were true and if Mr. Wardick acted with malice.
It is therefore critical that:
1. An investigation be undertaken independently of those with a direct interest in the case.
2. No person named or associated with those directly concerned with Mr Wardick’s reports adjudicate on his appeal against his dismissal.
3. Mr Wardick be reinstated pending the outcome of any such investigation and appeal.
We do not request that the Irish Red Cross Society enter into correspondence with Transparency International Ireland on this matter, nevertheless Transparency International Ireland will:
1. Continue to support the right of Mr. Wardick and any other person to report concerns in the public interest and in good faith.
2. Support the right of workers reporting concerns to a fair and independent disciplinary hearing where employers decide disciplinary action is necessary.
3. Highlight the responsibility of all employers to undertake independent and impartial inquiries based on reasonable and serious concerns raised by their employees.
Yours sincerely,
John Devitt Chief Executive
cc. Mr. Tadateru Konoé, President of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies; Mr Jakob Kellenberger, President of the International Committee of the Red Cross; Mr. Bekele Geleta, Secretary General of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies; Mr. Yves Daccord, Director General of the International Committee of the Red Cross; Mr. Tony Killeen T.D., Minister for Defence; Mr. Micheál Martin T.D, Minister for Foreign Affairs.