Dairygold secures order against ‘frivolous and vexatious’ claim

DAIRYGOLD yesterday secured a High Court order that a former worker’s claim for improved redundancy terms, along with an allegation there was a conspiracy between the company and the trade union involved, was frivolous and vexatious.

Counsel for the company Tom Mallon told the court the man’s redundancy payment was about €83,892 nett after deductions from a figure of €129,474. The court also heard there were 26 similar cases pending and these were adjourned for two weeks. He said the worker concerned had done nothing for two and a half years and had never sought to refund the money.

Maurice O’Brien, 50, of Carrigane, Mitchelstown, Co Cork, had taken the proceedings against Dairygold, manufacturer of bacon products at its factory at Cahir Hill, Mitchelstown, Co Cork, and the trade union SIPTU but yesterday a motion was taken separately by the company asking that the case against Dairygold be struck out on the basis the case was both frivolous and vexatious.