Fired hotel manager seeks injuction

A hotel manager is seeking a High Court injunction preventing his dismissal.

Declan Moriarty, general manager of the Kilkenny River Court Hotel, says he was summarily dismissed in breach of the hotel’s own procedures on February 3 last.

He is seeking an order against Neville Hotels Ltd, trading as the River Court, and against William Neville and Sons, preventing his purported dismissal. He also wants to be restored to full pay pending the hearing of his action over the matter.

Peter Ward, for Mr Moriarty, told the court the defendants had written to their side saying he had been dismissed as a result of not having reached standards required following a review of his performance. They also claimed the dismissal was lawful.

Mr Ward, who made the application for the injunction on an ex parte basis said Nevilles had taken over the hotel last year, which led to a significantly increased workload for his client. He was summarily dismissed in “flagrant breach” of the hotel’s own disciplinary procedures, counsel said.

An appeals panel had been set up by the defendants but it was composed of the same people who had terminated his employment, he said. The defendants had written yesterday to say a new appeals process was being set up.

Mr Justice Paul Gilligan granted permission to Mr Ward to serve the proceedings at short notice on the defendants, returning the case to next week.