Peter O’Reilly resigned as Chief Fire & Rescue Officer at the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) in 2022 after only six months in the job.
Following his resignation, Mr O’Reilly launched an employment tribunal case against NIFRS.
In documents related to the case, its basis was described as “unfair dismissal” and “public interest disclosure”.
However, the Sunday World has learned the case has been dismissed following its withdrawal.
It was reported at the time of his resignation that Mr O’Reilly was frustrated by the slow progress in his efforts to modernise NIFRS after taking on the chief role, which came with an annual salary of £128,000.
A tribunal case is often withdrawn because a settlement has been reached between the parties.
However, when contacted this week, both NIFRS and Mr O’Reilly declined to comment or provide any more details in relation to why his case is not proceeding.
Mr O’Reilly took on the job of Chief Fire & Rescue Officer in September 2021.
He had previously been Greater Manchester’s chief fire officer but retired four months after the Manchester Arena bombing in May 2017 in which 22 people were killed at an Ariana Grande concert.
There was much criticism of the response of Manchester’s fire department to the bombing.
An inquiry into the horrific attack heard firefighters were not sent to the scene until two hours after the bombing.
Giving evidence at the inquiry, Mr O’Reilly said he had “let everyone down” after the bombing and apologised to the bereaved families for his failings.
Taking on the job of Northern Ireland’s fire chief, the west Belfast man, who started his career with NIFRS in 1990 before joining the Manchester fire department in 2011, said: “Having started my firefighting career with NIFRS, I am extremely proud to lead it going forward and work with over 1,800 exceptional operational and wider supporting team members as we continue to deliver our prevention and emergency response service to protect our community.”
However, things did not go to plan and he announced in March 2022 he was resigning from the job.
“It was with deep regret that on Thursday 10th March 2022 I offered my resignation to the Chair of the NIFRS Board,” Mr O’Reilly said in a statement at the time.
“The letter of resignation, outlining my reasons, was also sent to the Department of Health.
“I remain hopeful that the concerns I have highlighted will be addressed and that the public of Northern Ireland will ultimately have a Fire and Rescue Service to be proud of.
“I am convinced, having met most of you, that NIFRS has a committed complement of professional staff, staff that can help achieve what is needed to improve the service. But support is undoubtedly required.”
In June 2022, just three months after Mr O’Reilly’s resignation, a report into NIFRS was commissioned by the Department of Health.
The inspection was led by HM Chief Inspector of the Scottish fire service, Robert Scott.
His report, which was published last year, stated that “most staff commented on, what they perceived as, a lack of leadership across the organisation”.
The report added that one recurring comment was that many in senior temporary positions “have too much focus on themselves and the next promotion rather than on the organisational need” and that “staff at all levels recognise that a lack of formal and structured leadership and management training is contributing to this challenge”.
Mr O’Reilly served for most of his career with NIFRS in Belfast as a firefighter, junior officer and district commander.
However, he also worked in Ballymena where he was assistant area commander and later northern area commander
Following Mr O’Reilly’s resignation, Aidan Jennings was appointed as the new Chief Fire & Rescue Officer for NIFRS in November 2023.
Mr Jennings, who has almost 30 years’ experience in the fire service, said he was proud to take on the role.
“This is an exceptional organisation with exceptional people working tirelessly, day in day out, across our operational and support services to help keep people safe,” he said.
“As we embark on a new strategic journey, it is both a privilege and an honour to have the opportunity to lead this fantastic organisation.
“I am committed to supporting our workforce and to providing the best possible Fire and Rescue Service for the people of Northern Ireland.”