Previous Dodgy Bosses - Importance of References

Montjuic

Quick question here.

Applying for dream job in Irish public sector at the moment.

References are required from previous bosses except I had the misfortune to uncover one was a Gay paedo who was abusing his position financially and morally. The second stole half a million Euro of EU grant funding and tried to pin it on me even though I had clear evidence he had it in his back pocket.

Anyhow I left both on less than good terms despite having done nothing wrong and and only had the bad luck of having two dodgy bosses engaged in white collar crime and other dubious activity.

Both jobs were in other EU countries. I previously worked in the Irish public sector so they should give me a reference - problem is they will hardly remember me - it was 8 years ago but my current boss is sound so will give me a reference if required.

Any ideas on how to handle this? If I need to provide them I can hardly bring up the real reasons they will think I'm making it up even though its 100% true or I'm dodge in some way.

Its an awful dilemma where is there room for the honest man in this world?

InReality

You might only need written references.