Judge warns employers of fines and imprisonment if pay refused to jurors
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A judge of the High Court has warned employers that they face unlimited fines and prison time if they refuse to pay workers serving on a jury, The Irish Times reports.
Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy made the remarks after a woman who was sworn in as a juror for a three-day sexual assault case told the court she feared dismissal as a consequence of missing work.
The woman reportedly told the court: “I’m happy to serve but I fear I may lose my job.”
She said she is one of two workers capable of operating a particular machine and worried that she would be replaced in her absence.
Mr Justice McCarthy said she could excuse herself if she felt it was necessary, but stressed that it was a criminal offence for an employer not to pay a worker during jury service.
The woman chose to serve and Mr Justice McCarthy said his registrar would contact her employer.