A widow who contacted the administrators of her late husband's pension scheme was told the Irish employer had ceased to trade.

She was also told the pension scheme had been wound up without any provision being made for the payment of her €1,306 per annum pension.

The administrator's treatment of the woman was legalistic, discourteous and "an exercise of almost cynical cruelty to someone in such a vulnerable position," the ombudsman said.

A firm of professional administrators made the mistake of not providing for the woman when the scheme was being wound up. The parent company in the US received the surplus from the scheme.

The ombudsman, Paul Kenny, said the employer, trustees, and administrators all failed in their duty of care to the woman.

"I was dismayed by the arrogant and legalistic approach I encountered from the administrators, particularly as the act of maladministration was done by them, and that it was abundantly clear that this was the case."

After it was contacted, the US parent agreed that it and the administrators would pay the the complainant's pension.