Castlecomer sits about 17 km north of Kilkenny city, with Moneenroe, Clogh and Ballyragget all close by, and people across this part of north Kilkenny contact an employment law solicitor in Castlecomer for much the same reasons: a dismissal that feels unfair, a redundancy that does not add up, or a grievance that has gone nowhere. Some are employees trying to understand where they stand. Others are small employers trying to get a process right before it turns into a dispute.
The Employment Issues We See Most From This Area
Most enquiries from Castlecomer and the surrounding townlands fall into a small number of categories. Unfair or constructive dismissal comes up often, usually after a working relationship has broken down over months rather than days. Redundancy questions are also common, particularly where a business is restructuring and someone wants to know whether the process being followed is a proper one. We also hear from people dealing with bullying or ongoing stress at work, discrimination they cannot quite name but know is affecting how they are treated, or a settlement agreement they have been asked to sign without having had it looked at independently.
On the employer side, we are often asked to review an employment contract before it is issued, to advise on handling a grievance that has been raised formally, or to talk through what a WRC complaint actually involves once it has been lodged. These are rarely simple yes-or-no questions, and the right answer usually depends on the specific facts, the documents involved and what has already been said or written. That is why we work through the detail with each client rather than giving a generic answer.
Working Through the Detail Before We Act on Your Behalf
Before anything is sent, filed or responded to, we take time to understand what has actually happened. That means going through the employment contract, any written warnings or correspondence, notes from meetings, and the sequence of events as the client remembers them. It is rarely about one single incident. More often it is a pattern of smaller things that, taken together, point towards a particular course of action, whether that is raising a grievance internally, preparing a WRC complaint, or negotiating a resolution directly.
We are also honest from the outset about what the current law and procedure would mean for a given set of facts, including where the position is genuinely unclear and depends on how matters develop. Consultations can take place by phone or video call, or in person at our Kilkenny office on Rose Inn Street, whichever suits the client better. Richard O’Shea handles these matters directly, so you are not passed between different people as the case moves forward.
Supporting Clients in Castlecomer, Moneenroe, Clogh and Ballyragget
Castlecomer falls within the Kilkenny County Council area, and we act for clients here alongside neighbouring towns including Moneenroe, about 5 km away, Clogh, about 7 km away, and Ballyragget, roughly 9 km from Castlecomer. Kilkenny city itself is about 17 km to the south, which is where our county office is based, but the work we do for clients in this area is not tied to any particular office. Whether you are an employee in a local business or an employer trying to get a procedure right, we work by phone, video call or in person, depending on what is practical.
Employment law applies in the same way whether a workplace is in Castlecomer or Kilkenny city, but the practical side, who you deal with, how a complaint is managed, how quickly things need to move, often comes down to the specifics of the employer and the sector involved. We take that local context into account when advising clients from this part of the county.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to travel to Kilkenny or Dublin to get advice?
No. We regularly deal with clients by phone or video call, and an in-person meeting at our Kilkenny office can be arranged if that suits you better. Contact us through the website to arrange whatever works best for your situation.
I think I have been unfairly dismissed. What should I do first?
Gather whatever documents you have, your contract, any written warnings, correspondence or notes from meetings, and get advice before you respond to your employer or sign anything. Time limits can apply to employment claims, and the position depends on the specific circumstances, so it is worth getting advice early.
Can you help an employer rather than an employee?
Yes. We advise employers on contracts, grievance procedures, redundancy processes and responding to WRC complaints, as well as employees. Each matter is assessed on its own facts, and we can talk through what a particular process involves before any step is taken.
This page is general information, not legal advice. Your position depends on your circumstances and the current law; please get advice on your own situation. In contentious business, a solicitor may not calculate fees or other charges as a percentage or proportion of any award or settlement.