The pilot in question was bound to UK, English and Welsh Law. Not Irish as he was UK contracted. So the reference you have used DFC is wrong.
Dan Winterland has hit the nail on the head. So the question is how was this Gross Misconduct on safety? This will be up to the lawyers to argue out.
This act will only make pilots more resolute and clear that they have no other choice now than to continue and seek recognition. This type of management will act how it wants, when it wants and will suffer the pain later as the longer economic gain and the obvious attempt to attack hearts and minds against pilots will outweigh the financial loss in tribunal. As the many past industrial tribunal victories and court cases have proven in the past. Management are planning long term as should pilots. The problem for management is that the pilots aren't in the mood for flinching.
Disgusting type of behaviour in the 21st century but nothing the pilot community has not seen before from this company.