McGovern settles claim with Victim Support

FORMER Victim Support chief executive Lillian McGovern said she was satisfied with a last-minute settlement reached in her employment appeals claim.

Ms McGovern’s claim against the voluntary organisation was due to begin yesterday and continue for four days at the Employment Appeals Tribunal.

However, legal teams for both sides reached a deal yesterday as witnesses waited for the hearing to begin.

Details of the settlement cannot be revealed as a confidentiality clause has been attached to the deal.

But Ms McGovern, speaking after the case was settled, said: “I am very happy with the outcome, very relieved and offer my best wishes to Victim Support.”

She said a burden had been lifted from her shoulders, 14 months after she left her high-profile position as chief executive of the organisation.

Ms McGovern also revealed a separate civil action, alleging constructive dismissal against the publicly funded organisation, has been settled.

Derek Nally, the founder of Victim Support and one of 11 board members who resigned last month, attended the tribunal but said he was only there as a witness.

The dispute, he said, was between Ms McGovern and Victim Support as it is today, even though she had claimed to have been forced out of the organisation last August.

Mr Nally, a former presidential hopeful, said he had no information on details of the settlement.

Ms McGovern had claimed her position was made untenable after being informed she was unable to act as a spokesperson, or make recommendations and appointments.

A statement released by Victim Support yesterday said the organisation was “very pleased with the outcome of the Employment Appeals Tribunal case”.

“The organisation is now in a position to move forward and continue the work for which it was set up,” the statement said.