Sacked hotel manager settles case

A hotel manager who sought a High Court injunction preventing his dismissal has settled his High Court action.

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

He sought a High Court order against Neville Hotels Ltd, trading as the River Court, and against William Neville and Sons, preventing his purported dismissal. Last week Mr Justice Paul Gilligan granted permission to Mr Moriarty to serve the proceedings at short notice on the defendants.

Yesterday, when the matter returned before the court, Peter Ward, counsel for Mr Moriarty, said the entire proceedings have been settled and could be struck out with no order. No details of the settlement were given to the court.

Previously, the High Court heard the defendants had written to Mr Moriarty saying he had been dismissed as a result of not having reached standards required following a review of his performance.

In an ex parte application to the court Mr Ward said the Nevilles had taken over the hotel last year which led to a significantly increased workload which was carried out by 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, counsel said. The defendants had said a new appeals process was being set up.