+34
Former captain Tom O'Riordan describes alleged exposure to 'toxic' fumes during flight, resulting in brain injury. He claims Aer Lingus sacked him for blowing the whistle, which the airline denies, stating it handled the issue properly.
Former captain with carrier and legal team set out case at Workplace Relations Commission hearing A former Aer Lingus pilot claims that he was sacked for blowing the whistle on alleged 'toxic' fume events on commercial jets.
File photograph: Artur Widak/PAAn Aer Lingus pilot who claims he was sacked for blowing the whistle on alleged “toxic” fume events on commercial jets has described how he believes he came to suffer a brain injury while in command of a flight three years ago. Former Airbus A320 captain Tom O’Riordan was giving evidence on Monday as his legal team began setting out its case in one of the longest-running whistleblower penalisation cases to proceed at the employment tribunal.
Aer Lingus strongly denies that any crew or passengers have been put at risk and says it dealt with O’Riordan and his concerns properly. He said he and his first officer detected an “exhaust smell” while preparing an Airbus A320, registration EI-DEN, in advance of a return flight to Shannon Airport on June 4th, 2023.
‘I once went into Lidl for groceries and came home with a pair of diving fins’An Aer Lingus engineer reported an oil leak at the auxiliary power unit, or APU, and disconnected the machine, which was to supply electric and pneumatic power while the main engines were off, he said. O’Riordan said the smell “dissipated” after that and that he took it “on good faith” that the aircraft was ready to go.
The flight to Shannon was “uneventful”, but on the return leg, while descending back to Heathrow with a full load of passengers, the “exhaust” odour returned, he said. At first, the flight crew were set to return to Dublin as passengers, but were told the following morning by the company flight operations department that EI-DEN was “serviceable” and they were to fly it back, said the complainant.
The aircraft’s technical log recorded a “decontamination procedure” on the jet’s air conditioning, he said.
“I would have accepted the aircraft in good faith that the engineers had performed their duties as required,” he said. On descent into Dublin, “the fumes returned again”, he said, “a wet old smelly sports sock type of smell”. He said he felt unwell during final approach and developed a “piercing headache” and nausea while taxiing.
“The left midsection of my face was numb and my eye was frozen … I felt clammy and faint, I still had the headache and nausea, and this metallic taste in my mouth,” he said. He spent four nights in hospital after being taken off the flight deck by paramedics, he said. O’Riordan told the WRC in 2024 he suffered “chronic fatigue syndrome and brain damage” due to “exposure to toxic fumes” on the flight.
He is now pursuing a personal injury action in the High Court. Aer Lingus’s legal team said O’Riordan had engaged in “a campaign of disruption” while out sick, including the alleged posting of “falsehoods and untruths” on social media, mounting a picket on its offices, and a hunger strike. He was sacked from his €153,000 a year post after facing disciplinary action in relation to the activity, the tribunal has heard.
Anthropic tells investors it will be profitable for second straight quarterKnee surgery patient wakes up to €3,000 bill after change made during procedureIrishman in Lapland: ‘I bought a house for €32,000. It’s a magic place to live’From influencers to brutal finishes, US Open 2026 was worst Grand Slam in recent memoryRap singer Macklemore says he has been removed from tour with Ed Sheeran after Gaza comment
Aer Lingus Pilot Whistleblower Toxic Fumes Brain Injury Aviation Safety Employment Dispute
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News: You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
GAA integration plans face funding and equality questions as McAleese resignation accelerates processThe GAA integration process faces scrutiny over funding and equality as Mary McAleese resignation and Tom Ryan comments highlight a phased approach with a framework motion possibly in 2027.
Read more »
Donald Trump's EU Visit: State Ceremonies, Golf and Protests in IrelandFormer US president Donald Trump holds official talks with Irish leaders in Dublin before presenting a trophy to Irish golfer Shane Lowry at the Amgen Irish Open, amid public demonstrations.
Read more »
Russian drone attack ‘may have targeted’ train carrying Boris JohnsonAttack hit station on Polish border shortly after train with former British PM left, says Ukrainian railways operator
Read more »
West Ham mourn death of 'legendary' former goalkeeper Ludek MikloskoFormer West Ham United goalkeeper and coach Ludek Miklosko has died at the age of 64 after a long battle with cancer. The Czech player, who made nearly 400 appearances for the Hammers between 1990 and 1998, was a beloved figure at the club. He helped West Ham secure promotions in 1991 and 1993 and continued to serve as a goalkeeping coach after retiring. Miklosko's memory will be honored in the upcoming Carabao Cup match against Fulham and the next home game against QPR.
Read more »